The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs were denied by just two points against the Eden Tigers on Sunday.
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Playing at Eden’s George Brown Memorial Oval, the Bulldogs fought back from a 24-16 deficit late in the game to finish just two points shy of the hosts.
Earlier, the Tigresses had upset the visiting Hot Doggies in the women’s fixture by the same margin as the hosts rallied to a 16-14 victory.
Merimbula-Pambula split the difference with decisive wins in the under 18s and reserve grade fixtures.
The young guns got ahead 20-0 over the Bermagui-Cobargo-Eden combine, while the Tigers’ portability Eels lost their reserve grade showdown 42-6.
For the first grade roster, the Mikula brothers set up an early lead for the Bulldogs as Zac found the line ahead of Jake to jump ahead 10-0.
The Tigers fought back through Jordan Locklier, but the sides were evenly matched as it went 10-4 to the break.
The Tigers flipped momentum in the second half and took the early charge with tries to Robert Aratangi and Joel Grewar giving them a 14-10 edge.
Halfway through, the Bulldogs scraped to the front again through Zac finding the line and Corey Schafer slotting the extras.
Unfortunately the Tigers struck by twice in the following few minutes to lead 24-16.
With just three minutes to play, Zac capped off a hat-trick with his third try and closing the gap to two.
Earlier the reserve grade fixture, right edge centre Ian Smith starred for the Bull Ants in a four-try haul, outclassing the Bermagui-Cobargo Eels.
The ladies match played out similarly to the first with Eden boasting a strong margin ahead of a late fight-back by the Hot Doggies.
The first half was hard-fought with both teams able to find a single try each and going 4-4 to the break.
Ebony Dykhoff-Darrington scored from the restart for the Tigresses before Danielle Young extended their margin.
The Tigresses were also aided by a pair of successful conversions to Kiarna Mitchell.
Courtney Yelds kept hopes alive for the Hot Doggies, while Tamika Millard scored and converted her own try in the final minute to come within two points.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs head up the under 18s ladder, sitting undefeated to date.
The Bulldogs will host the Roosters this weekend with a full round of four games to be held at the Pambula Sporting Complex.
Games run from 10.30am.