Tom Miller passing the ball.
By Tallon Smith
There was always going to be one loser out of the congested top four in the George Tooke Shield, and unfortunately it was Cootamundra who drew the short end of the stick after a 28-4 loss to Binalong on the weekend.
The defeat sees the Bulldogs finish in fourth place, meaning the club faces a sudden-death path to a potential drought-breaking title this year, beginning with a must-win home showdown against Boorowa this weekend.
Coach David Buttriss and veteran Grant Boyd would love to claim another premiership, one they can add to their 2015 Group 9 title.
Buttriss said that a poor completion rate was the Bulldogs’ downfall in the match, with the lack of possession allowing Binalong plenty of opportunity to score points.
“We just didn’t complete, at the end of the day, that’s what caused us the big loss,” he said.
“I think we probably dropped the ball at least eight times in the first half.
“Credit to Binalong, they were just really up for it and had a simple game plan that worked for them on the day.”
Although the defeat places the Bulldogs in a sudden-death playoff this weekend, Buttriss said that the while the situation is far from ideal, the equation is simple for the side if they just keep winning.
“We’re not too worried about it,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t want to be in this position, but the boys go into every game each week they’re just going to know that there’s no second chances, so we’ve just got to turn up each day and put our best foot forward and hopefully come away with the results.”
As for their title chances, Buttriss said that the Coota side still believe they have what it takes despite sliding down the table a little at the sea- son’s end, with the Bulldogs mentor of the opinion that any of the top four sides could win the competition from here.
“I think the top four teams are just so tight at the moment,” he said.
“We’re going to welcome back a couple of key players this weekend and even the following weekend.
“I just think whoever turns up on the day in this final series is going to go away with it.”
As for this weekend, Buttriss said that the home ground advantage at Les Boyd Oval will be massive for the Bulldogs as they face a Boorowa side with nothing to lose.
“I think playing at Les Boyd Oval this weekend would be massive for us, especially knowing that it’s going to be the last time this year,” he said.
“So hopefully we draw a big crowd and yeah put on a good performance for the Coota crowd.”
Meanwhile, despite the Men’s team’s loss, the Bullettes closed out their regular season with a 10-8 win over the Binalong Jersey Girls.
Both sides scored two tries in the match, however it was a conversion from Lilly Welch which proved the difference in a tight contest.
Cootamundra’s victory means they finish the season in second, and will play Crookwell this weekend in the Qualifying Final.
The match kicks off at 1pm Saturday in Binalong, while the Men play at home from 2:30pm.
