The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs have kept their finals hopes alive after a come-from-behind victory against Central Charlestown at HEZ sportsground on Saturday.

The Bulldogs trailed 22-14 at half-time against third placed Central but tries to Robbie Rochow and a last minute effort by Ron Griffiths saw them pip the Butcher Boys at the post 24-22.

The win catapulted the Bulldogs onto 16 points and on equal terms with Macquarie, who lost to West Newcastle 48-18

yesterday.

Coach Shaun Collingwood was pleased with his team’s performance but was confused in comparison to last week’s capitulation.

“We showed today that we can turn it on and beat the best sides and hopefully we don’t have another lapse this late in the season,” Collingwood said.

Central Charlestown’s kicking game proved difficult for fullback Robbie Rochow and the Butcher Boys scored two tries from chips in the first half.

Rochow was not going to be out done though and scored a brilliant try to put Kurri two points behind before succumbing to injury.

“Robbie tore ankle ligaments and didn’t come back on.”

“It didn’t look too bad but we may lose him for a week,” Collingwood said.

Collingwood was delighted that it was his team this week and not the opposition who had a good period 10 minutes before and after half-time.

“I wish we could just cancel half-time because it is usually our enemy, but this week we were the ones that came out on top and this contributed to our victory,” Collingwood said.

Collingwood also attributed the victory to the team’s defence which frustrated Central and to halfback Chris Tyrie who controlled the play.

The Bulldogs face a far easier run home than Macquarie with winable games against Nelson Bay and Lakes in the next two weeks while the Scorpions face top three sides Cessnock and Central Charlestown.

“I think one more win gets us fifth spot and if we win all of the remaining games we can probably get fourth and a home semi-final.”

“They have much tougher games but we can’t rely on them to lose and it’s going to be hard against Nelson Bay and Lakes who have several players coming back into their sides,” Collingwood said.

The Bulldogs look forward to the return of NSW Country representatives Dan Stuart and Mick Fortier who played in the Quad Series final in Queensland at the weekend.

Fortier came through the tournament unscathed but Stuart was forced from the field with a hamstring injury at half-time in the final.

“I’ll check in with Dan and see how he is going with the injury during the week.”

“Obviously were not going to take him into a game if he is not ready,” Collingwood said.

“Because of all our available players it’s actually going to be hard to pick a side at training this week, which is a good thing,” Collingwood said.