The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs' undefeated run has been brought to a close by the Cooma Stallions on Sunday.
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In spectacular Autumn sunshine, the Bulldogs looked good in the early stages of their first grade clash leading 12-4 before the Stallions found their strides and ran away with the score in the second half to win 34-20.
Cooma's two flanking wingers proved to be trouble for the Bulldogs, who had looked dominant early in the piece on Sunday.
Merimbula-Pambula forward Grant Moon had secured the first points of the clash after busting through a tackle to run 30 metres to the try line and set up a 4-0 lead.
The second try for the Bulldogs came before the drinks break after pushing up the left edge.
Cooma's line defence looked solid, but the Bulldogs broke from the wing back to the right and a superb cut-out pass drew defenders to Corey Schafer, but the ball sailed past him to the waiting arms of Jack Maguire who made no mistake to cut a line straight under the posts.
A successful conversion had the hosts up 10-0 before the Stallions found their first try.
Cooma had pushed right to the wing and the zippy winger made a chip kick back through to the middle where the Stallions were able to run it down and score on the left.
After the drinks break the Bulldogs pressured again and came up with a penalty in front to take the two and lead 12-4.
With just five minutes left in the half Brock Seabrook was on track for man of the match after a dominant tackling half he made a stunning line break for a 60-metre run before being held short of the Cooma line which drew a playing foul.
Unfortunately, the set went awry with Cooma coming up with the ball and a left-edge break saw them sprint the length of the field to score and trail just 12-10 at the break.
In the second half play continued in similar fashion with Cooma making the best of the few chances they could find against the Bulldogs to secure the result.
The win made it a clean sweep for Cooma, who had earlier carded a 22-6 win in the reserve grade clash, while the league-tag result was claimed by the Stallions 64-6.
The results from the weekend leave just Cooma and Bega as the undefeated clubs in the top grade with Merimbula-Pambula holding third place on the table after three rounds.
This weekend the Bulldogs make the trek to the Bombala Showground for clashes against the Bombala Blue Heelers with first grade set for a 2.30pm kick off on Saturday.