However, both grades were their own worst enemies on the weekend.

The reserve side was easily the best starter in its clash, skipping ahead by two tries after good ball control allowed them to exert some pressure on the Bulldogs defence.

The Diesels then had another scoring opportunity called back after a marginal forward pass, but then compounded the mistake with poor discipline in the ruck.

Consecutive ruck infringements allowed the Bulldogs up to the Diesels end of the paddock for the first time in 15 minutes and they scored the first of their tries.

It was almost a replica of the first try as Cootamundra again scored following penalties for ruck infringements.

At half-time the coach addressed the drop in attitude the Diesels had exhibited once they were ahead and the players responded.

They once again forged ahead and had Cootamundra on the backfoot with good control of the ball.

Then they dropped their guard again and penalties again crept in around the ruck, frustrating the referee and leading to a significant swing in momentum.

The Cootamundra players were never forced to draw on their energy reserves as the Diesels failed to put any repeated sets together in the final stanza of the game.

The Diesels clung to a narrow 22-16 lead, however a try in the dying stages of the match allowed Cootamundra to escape with a 22-all.