The North Coast Bulldogs Under-18s, which includes three Macleay representatives, were one defensive set away from completing a remarkable comeback and booking a spot in the NSW Country Championships Laurie Daley Cup final.
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The Bulldogs went into half-time of their semi-final match up with the Illawarra South Coast Dragons trailing 16-0, but North Coast found another gear after the break.
Macleay's Kaine Parkinson, Ivan Madden and Miles Monta contributed to the Bulldogs fighting their way back into the game.
"We scored a quick try after half-time and just started to run all over them," Parkinson said.
"We ended up taking the lead at 18-16 but with less than a minute to go, the referee made a questionable call, which forced us to concede a drop out.
"A couple of plays later and their second rower went over."
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While Parkinson was disappointed the side won't compete in this Saturday's decider, he and the two other Macleay Valley Mustangs Under-18.5s players could still earn selection into the NSW Country squad. The team will be announced after the grand final.
Parkinson is a utility back, who spent the majority of the representative season at fullback, Madden injected energy off the bench at hooker while Monta is a superb winger.
Parkinson was selected into the Northern NSW Country Catholic Colleges side on Wednesday to compete in Sydney in May.
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