Hunter Wildfires men's coach Scott Coleman has described his team's latest performance as "too patchy" and "disappointing" in what marked their last home game of the Shute Shield season.
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The Wildfires, who travel to meet last-placed Penrith for the final round this weekend, went down 41-26 to West Harbour at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
Twice the hosts went within striking distance during the second half, including a try shortly after the main break having trailled 15-5, but were never able to catch the Pirates.
Hunter have recorded just one win and a draw from 11 appearances since returning to the Sydney club competition this year, conceding more than 40 points on seven occasions.
"It was another disappointing day. We're just too patchy. On and off," Coleman said.
"When we're on we can score some really good tries and put together some really good passages.
"But we switch off for 10 minutes and we fall off tackles and let our opposition score two or three tries.
"One of the big things has been a lack of preparation [before the start of the season] and a lot of injuries at the moment, but I can't fault the commitment and attitude and want to compete at this level."
Wildfires winger Hamish McKie nabbed a double while No.8 George Noa and outside centre Chase Hicks also crossed for Hunter to earn a four-try bonus point.
Hicks (concussion) left the field with around 10 minutes left while Seva Rokobaro (knee) may have ended his campaign.
Coleman said prop David Puchert, breakway Shawn Ingle and Noa were his side's best performers.
The Wildfires remain 11th on the competition ladder with 10 points, 10 behind West Harbour (20) but four and seven clear respectively of the Western Sydney Two Blues (6) and Penrith (3).
Elsewhere in Shute Shield on Saturday and Gordon claimed the minor premiership after thrasing Penrith 97-0 while Sydney University ensured the top six has now been decided following a 34-15 victory over second-placed Northern Suburbs.
Manly, who have the upcoming bye and can't make the semi-finals, finished their year with a narrow 43-39 win against Southern Districts.
Third-placed Eastwood and fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs beat Warringah (47-21) and the Two Blues (52-36) respectively. Fifth-placed Randwick had the bye.
In the women's Jack Scott Cup the Wildfires progressed in the second division finals after accounting for Sydney University 2 by 29-19 at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday. The hosts led 17-7 at half-time.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
