GOULBURN Bulldogs coach James Aubusson saw his dream of upsetting the defending Canberra Raiders Cup premiers turn into a ''gut-wrenching'' nightmare.
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In 40 dramatic minutes, the Bulldogs gave up a 22-point lead to settle for a share of the competition points with the Belconnen United Scholars.
Scholars captain Channon McAskill barged his way over in the 79th minute and five-eighth Robert Roberts converted from in front to lock up the scores at 26-26 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Braddon Oval.
The Bulldogs have been the big improvers of the competition, but that did not ease Aubusson's pain.
A score of 22-0 ''is pretty much a dream going into half-time and to have a draw at the end of it is certainly gut-wrenching'', he said.
''I think the boys are a better footy side than what they showed. I was proud of their efforts, I just think we played dumb football and played as individuals. I don't think they won it, I just think we lost it.''
Scholars coach John Hawke gave his side a well-deserved spray after a first half in which they made every mistake possible.
''We probably don't deserve [the draw],'' he said. ''We had a football side that didn't want to turn up in the first half and we had a very poor attitude.
''I thought Goulburn deserved to win the game. They played very smart, controlled the football.''
The Scholars were their own worst enemy in the opening 40 minutes. Fullback Chris Thorley got nowhere close to catching two towering bombs, allowing the Bulldogs to score both times.
Some flimsy defence allowed Bulldogs winger Junior Vatikani to spark a stunning 100-metre effort. He took the ball from his own in-goal and found speedy centre Nathan Chappell, who finished off the long-range effort.
Then came the resurgence.
Scholars back-rower Dan Papalii-Scanlan crossed twice, but the crucial play came from a one-on-one strip by winger Junior Lafaele. With the Bulldogs enjoying a six-point lead with two minutes to go, he regained the ball to give his side one final crack.
Meanwhile, Queanbeyan Kangaroos hooker Jordan Macey scored 22 points to lead his side to a 30-20 victory over the Woden Valley Rams.