The Singleton Earth Moving, Gleeson Civil Engineering and Coolmore first grade was unlucky to go down 41-34 after dominating large parts of the game. 

The Bulls started the fixture strongly from the kick off by recovering the ball straight away and putting pressure on the opposition, allowing the red and blacks to score first points through a penalty. 

Lakes hit back with a three-pointer of their own before landing the opening try when they spread it out wide.

A soft touchdown extended the lead to 17-3 and the Bulls could have gone further behind if it weren’t for some desperate defence.

They then spurned a try chance when an errant pass let Lakes off the hook. 

Sione Kamoto pushed through several would-be tacklers to score the Bulls’ first try in the contest, making it 17-10.

In a sucker punch Lakes scored another try on the cusp of half-time to maintain the advantage 24-10. 

Siaosi Manu’s damaging running was on show at the start of the second period as he crossed for a try to start a turnaround. 

The Bulls were on top at this stage and further hit ups by the forwards, sucked in a number of Lakes players, allowing the ball to go out wide where Bryce Field was ready to score. 

Lakes added to their total when the Bulls were caught off guard from an overthrown ball from a scrum next to their line that bounced conveniently into the visitors’ No.10, who strolled across.

The home side didn’t drop their heads though marching up to the other end where super sub Clayton Williams barged his way across. 

The Bulls went in front for only the second time in the match when Manu and Daniel Bates quickly shuffled the ball to Lachlan Gulliver, who crossed untouched.

The comeback was short-lived though as a kick out on the full gave Lakes the chance to hit back – and the big outfit took that opportunity to restore their lead. 

The Bulls had a couple more chances to get back in the game but mistakes cost them and Lakes effectively closed the match out with a successful penalty.

A silver lining for Singleton was a bonus point for being within seven points.

It was a different story in the other grades where the McDonald’s second grade and AC Whalan third grade both recorded wins. 

Alex Thrift, Dominic Keys and Lachlan Charnock grabbed doubles for the Bulls in second grade in their 45-39 win. 

Christian Kirby was the Bulls’ other scorer in a close game, Clayton Williams kicked five conversions.

Elsewhere, third grade had an emphatic win over their opposition running out winners 46-0. 

Matt Woodingham scored two tries for the Bulls while Brady Hay, Tom Nicho, Mitch Fallon, Matt Maher, Jai Bailey, Travis Thompson crossed the line for the home side.