The Red V went into the half-time sheds with a 24-8 deficit to overcome, but instead, conceded 34 extra points in what wound up being the side’s heaviest loss of the season.

“That wasn’t first grade footy,” Dragons’ skipper Jared Robinson said.

“We know it’s a long trip and we knew it was going to be tough. It’s a bit disappointing but I can’t fault the effort of the blokes who made the effort to come over.

“I think early in the first half when we made some silly errors and they jumped out to 24-8 it put us on the back foot. 

“We know we can’t feature in the finals so we go home tonight and lick our wounds. We’re hoping to finish off with a big crowd on Saturday and finish with a positive.”

As for the Magpies, they swooped in on first position on the Group 10 ladder with a win as Orange CYMS dropped their third consecutive match in a heart-stopping clash against Oberon Tigers.

A Cowra victory next week against Lithgow Workies would seal the minor premiership. 

Magpies captain Josh Rainbow said it’d be a bonus to finish on top.

“We’re very happy,” he said.

“It’d be a bonus if we can finish like this it’d be good. We’ll get to training and do the little things right and start again at Lithgow next week.”

Mudgee will look to end the season on a high with a home match against Orange Hawks.