The Bulldogs fell behind the Cooma Stallions in the second half, but lifted late to ensure the club would finish fourth on the competition table. 

The final score was 36-24 in favour of the home side after a comfortable lead in the first half. 

In the opening two minutes, Bulldogs winger Luke Rixon had slipped a gap and run in to score on the fringe. 

Then Billy Doneman crossed out wide after a sweeping cross-field play from the Bulldogs with John Aldridge adding the extras to lead 10-0. 

Cooma’s offensive game looked a little light in the first half. 

With a few exceptions, some of the big men were hitting the line with all the impact of a soggy biscuit and the Bulldogs held them back well. 

However, the Stallions were solid in defence, marking the Merimbula-Pambula runners quite well, but tensions were bubbling and almost boiled over before the break. 

With play settling again it was a brilliant high chip from Corey Schafer that landed in the waiting arms of Jake Mikula for the Bulldogs’ third try of the half. 

Cooma found a late reply through Karlos Filiga on the right edge before the half and used to points to build momentum.

An early second half try to Filiga got Cooma back in the competition trailing 14-10, but a quick reply and Jake Mikula’s second had the Bulldogs back in front 20-10. 

A quick flourish of four-pointers from the visitors had club officials and home fans a little bit nervous as the big Cooma side were suddenly leading the charge 24-20. 

A Corey Schafer try with 14 minutes on the clock levelled things up and the Aldridge conversion gave the hosts a two-point buffer. 

A third to Mikula all but sealed the deal for the hosts and a try to Jack McGuire with just three minutes to go locked in the final result. 

Earlier, the Bulldogs suffered a close 25-22 loss to the Stallions in the reserve grade outing. 

The reserves finished the season third on the competition table. 

And in the league tag the Eden-Mer-Pam Tigerettes combine scored a 22-10 win over the Fillies. 

The win put the ladies outfit second on the ladder behind Bombala, and edging out the Bega Chicks on for and against. 

The First grade Bulldogs host a home round Saturday and will face the Bay Tigers at 2.45pm at the ‘Dogpound’ with senior play from 10.30am

The Tigerettes ladies open play at the Bombala Showground on Sunday at 10.30am, 18s are 11.45am and reserves straight after. 

Everyone is encouraged to cheer on all four grades.