The home side were able to overcome a determined Warren outfit – who jumped out to an early lead - to claim a share of the lead on the competition table.

The Bulldog’s cause not aided by having a player sent off mid way through the second half for dissent after they lead 6 to 4 at half time.

Terriers captain coach, Brad James, said that his team came home strong but needs to work on not giving away starts.

“Our starts have been shocking – not holding the ball and giving away cheap possession – so we went into half time 6 to 4,” he said.

“Then we came out a different side in the second half, we held the ball and completed our sets and we won.”

With the first competition round now completed James assessed where the 2015 premiers are sitting this season.

“We’re going alright but it can be deceiving though because we’re just getting home, we need to be a lot better in the second round that’s for sure,” he said.

“Because teams will be out to get us, being the premiers last year they’ll be looking to beat us especially going into finals time.

“The pressure is now on us, we’ve got to hold that top two spot so that we can hopefully get a home semi-final.

“We’re in a good spot, we’re running second and we’ve only lost one game all year and most of our hard away games are out of the way.

“If we can come home strong in the second half of the year we might be able to finish on top, but we need to start putting some 80-minute performances together.”

Warren didn’t go away empty handed with their League Tag team maintaining their upwardly position on the table with a strong 30-nil victory.

In Baradine, Dunedoo were able to get on top of the Magpies to win 30-14.

The highly anticipated top of the table clash between the Gilgandra Panthers and the Coonamble Bears will have to wait for another day as Gilgandra’s McGrane Oval was awash after consistent heavy rain throughout the preceding days.

It was a similar situation at Trangie with the Magpies set to host the Coolah Kangaroos but upon instructions from the local council the game did not go ahead.

The postponement of these two fixtures presents problems for Castlereagh League management and a decision will be made at a forthcoming meeting.

There will be a general bye for the long weekend next weekend with the second round of the Castlereagh League competition commencing the week after.

Gulgong 16 (Thomas Reddish, James Morrison, James Carter tries, Brad James 2 goals) defeated Warren 6 (Matt Stephens try, Johnny McKay goal).