THE back-to-back country championships hopes of Wade Forrester's Illawarra South Coast Dragons are over, after a disappointing 30-14 loss to the Riverina Bulls on Sunday.
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At Ron Costello Oval, the hosts conceded points before they even touched the ball - as the Bulls' sustained pressure resulted in a try to Cody Hodge, who won the race to a grubber kick.
Hooker James Luff converted and it was 6-nil after five to the visitors.
Three minutes later, Shellharbour Sharks recruit Ryan James slammed it down with his right hand.
Blair Grant missed for the hosts and the score was 6-4.
The visitors lead was extended when half Derek Hay darted from dummy-half and grounded the ball despite pressure from fullback Sam Clune.
Luff made it two straight conversions and it was 12-4 at the first drinks break.
The visitors scored their third try in the 29th minute when centre Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai barged over.
Luff slotted his kick from close to the right touchline and it was 18-4.
Due to a weight of possession, behind the Dragons' lack of discipline with the ball (12 turnovers), they couldn't close the gap and went into the break down by 14 - after Luff missed a penalty right of half-time.
After a strong talking to by coach Wade Forrester, the hosts came out a lot sharper, leading to James scoring his second of the afternoon.
Grant converted and it was 18-10.
The Dragons' tails were up with Cam Vazzoler crossed five minutes later on the left edge.
Grant failed to convert his halves partner's try and it was 18-14 with 25 to play.
But that would prove to be as close as the hosts got.
There were ominous signs for the Dragons when Dane O'Hehir broke through the line and would have scored if not for a ball and all try-saving tackle by Clune.
But the constant ill-discipline by the red and whites led to the Bulls' fourth try - Luff caught the defenders napping on the line and twisted over.
He converted his own try and it was 24-14 with 12 to play.
The win for the Bulls was secured when O'Hehir skipped away down the right edge in the final minute.
Man of the match Luff added the extras and it was 30-14 at full-time.
In the loss, James, Juvi Samui, Paul Roberts and Clune did what they could for Forrester's side.
This defeat, along with Riverina and Monaro (who defeated Macarthur 38-22) moving to 2-0, means the Dragons' hopes of progressing are over.
Adam Bezzina's women's side also suffered the same fate as their male counterparts, going down 20-6 to Riverina.
It wasn't all one-way traffic for the visitors though, with the Dragons winning both the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup fixtures.
In the under 16s Johns Cup, Caleb Hall (two), Zac Tagliapietra and Byron Pitt scored tries in the Dragons' 20-10 win.
While the Dragons ran out 40-20 winners in the Daley Cup, thanks to tries from Jarvis Austin (two), Ryan Couchman, Callum Cecil, Jack Bostock, Flynn Allen and Benjamin Rumble.
All four sides head to Port Macquarie on Saturday to face the North Coast Bulldogs in the final round of the country championships pool matches.