Dragons coach Randall Laughton said Oakdale wanted to win more than Moss Vale as the visitors took the competition points with a 28-18 win.

It’s a disappointing fact because the loss means Moss Vale have not yet sealed a place inside the Group 6/Wests Juniors top three and the Dragons have slipped from equal first to third in the space of a week.

It also ruined their chance, and their goal, of going through the last 10 games undefeated.

“We have been riding pretty high over the past few weeks but this loss brings our feet back to the ground,” Laughton said.

“They [the players] need to trust in the game plan and stick to it.”

The coach said the signs of a loss were imminent as the Dragons had failed to train with intensity on Friday night.

Moss Vale dropped the ball from the kickoff and absorbed 20 minutes of pressure from Oakdale before they finally opened the scoring.

The Dragons hit back soon after when Robert Wiya was held up over the line before Scott Drewe scored next to the uprights.

The teams traded tries to make it 12-12 at the break, although Moss Vale’s players were feeling drained after the tough opening half.

Oakdale started the second half in the same vein as the first and scored not long after the kickoff.

But again Moss Vale hit back with Josh Saunders finishing off a backline movement to square the game at 18-18.

Oakdale crossed the line on the hour mark to go get back in the lead, but the referee awarded a penalty to Moss Vale instead of the try and kept the Dragons in the hunt.

The visitors then missed an easy penalty goal that would have put them two points in front, but scored soon after to lead 22-18.

They crossed Moss Vale’s line again before the end of the game to make it 28-18.

Picton beat Camden 42-20 yesterday to move to 25 competition points, two ahead of Moss Vale, while Thirlmere/Tahmoor are on 24.