THE Gunnedah Bulldogs remain firmly in the hunt for a top two finish after halfback Sam Taylor slotted a match-winning field goal in a thrilling 27-26 victory over the Tamworth Bears in the Group 4 Rugby League competition.

Taylor’s decisive one-pointer in the 75th minute secured back-to-back wins for the Bulldogs, who were coming off an emphatic 48-12 victory over competition leaders Moree.

Club president David McCann said the first-grade side was well placed heading towards the finals but believed there was still another level to reach.

“Things are shaping up pretty well, but we’ve still got a few consistency issues,” he said.

“We’re not performing at our best every week, but we’re playing well enough to keep getting the wins, so we must be doing something right.

“We were very strong against Moree a couple of weeks ago, but last weekend we were only good in patches.

“We weren’t at our best for the full 80 minutes, and that’s something we need to improve as we get into the second round.”

McCann admitted there may have been a touch of complacency after the dominant win over Moree, although the club was also celebrating front-rower Lincoln Smith’s 100th first-grade appearance.

Smith made his first-grade debut as an 18-year-old in 2017 and has since established himself as one of the Bulldogs’ most dependable players.

The Bulldogs are second on the ladder in the Group 4 Rugby League competition. Photo: Phillipa Henry.

 

“He’s a very consistent player, incredibly loyal to the club, and a great bloke to have around,” McCann said.

With the race for the finals tightening, McCann said every competition point would be vital.

“It’s pretty tight at the top between Moree, Gunnedah, Werris Creek and Norths,” he said.

“We can’t afford to drop games that we should be winning because they could cost us dearly at the business end of the season.”

The top two teams earn a place in the major semi-final and the opportunity to host the grand final if they progress, making a strong finish to the regular season a priority.

“Most teams perform best at home, and we know we do,” McCann said.

“If you can earn one of those home finals and the chance to host the grand final, it’s a big advantage.”

The Bulldogs return home this weekend to face the Narrabri Blues, with kick-off scheduled for 2.45pm.

To order photos from this page click here