NORTH Coast's Andrew Johns Cup (under 16) side will have to improve their discipline if they are to beat Illawarra South Coast in Saturday's Country Rugby League championship semi-final to be played on the Central Coast.
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Coach Brenden Pellegrino said this after the Bulldogs butchered the game against Illawarra South Coast played at the Jack Neal Oval.
North Coast led 16-4 with 11 minutes remaining. However, they failed to capitalise, coughing up possession at crucial times while they were also guilty of conceding penalties late in the tackle count.
Illawarra scored two tries and were then awarded a penalty goal to lock of the scores at 16-16. Then with 1 minute 18 left on the clock the visitors were awarded a penalty and fullback Clay Baldock successfully piloted over a goal to give the Dragons an 18-16 lead.
Despite the loss North Coast have qualified for the playoffs and will again tackle Illawarra South Coast.
"We need to pay a bit more attention to detail,'' Pellegrino said at fulltime.
"We made a couple of errors and they were costly. It was hot, but our guys work really hard on their fitness so that shouldn't really be a drama.
"It's about getting the football and being consistent.''
North Coast led 12-0 at halftime via tries to Hudson Harmer and Hamish Wilson and a goal to five-eighth Nav Willett.
Illawarra hit back with a try soon after the resumption but when Willett scored a smart individual try it seemed as though North Coast had done enough to take the points.
Willett did some clever things for the Bulldogs, although he had some problems with his kicking in general play in the first half.
