NELSON BAY co-coach Ben Whaler has no doubts that the Gropers are a top-four side but they have to start killing teams off like a top-four side should.
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The Bay gave up a late penalty to go down 20-19 to Lake Macquarie at Walters Park on Saturday.
It was the third game this season the sixth-placed Gropers have conceded late points to lose. Merewether fly-half Sam Bright landed a 50m penalty to pip them 30-27 in round two and Rob Williamson scored in the corner to snatch Maitland a 26-23 victory in round six.
The loss leaves the Bay in sixth spot, six points outside the top five.
"That is three games we have lost in the final couple of minutes," said Whaler, who sat out the loss with a strained stomach muscle. "We are switching off and not putting teams away. Three years ago, Nelson Bay would have been happy with today. We are a top-four side but we are just not finishing teams off like a top four side should."
Though disappointed to lose via a late penalty, Whaler was more disappointed with the Gropers' inability to make the most of their chance in the first half when the Roos had three players sent to the sinbin and played six minutes with 12 men.
"Our game plan to turn them around and tire their big boys was working perfectly for the first 20 minutes," he said. "They got a yellow card and we started getting looser and away from our structure. They lost another to the bin and another. They had three guys in the bin and we were throwing the ball around like it was sevens rugby and the passes weren't sticking."
The Bay trailed 7-5 at half-time and 17-5 after 50 minutes. Michael Hotene sliced through in 54th minute to give them a sniff. Twelve minutes later prop Zion Takarua burrowed over besides the post. Chad Northcott converted to put the visitors ahead.
But they couldn't seal the deal. Lake Macquarie were awarded a penalty and Jarrod Nyssen slotted his attempt from 35m.
