THIRROUL'S top four hopes sit on a knife edge heading into the final fortnight of the Presidents Cup after an untimely 36-18 defeat to Glebe-Burwood on Saturday.
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After trailing early, the Butchers looked in command of the clash midway through the second half when a try to Jack Payne gave them an eight-point lead.
It's a position they've typically gone on with this season, but Saturday's clash proved markedly different as they conceded 26 unanswered points to suffer the third loss of their campaign.
The Butchers were down some key personnel - chiefly skipper Damian Sironen and former Origin prop Tim Grant - but coach Jarrod Costello couldn't hide his disappointment at his side's final 20 minutes.
"We had some really good blokes missing but that's no excuse, to be leading at home and get beaten like that isn't acceptable for us," Costello said.
"It's a hard competition, it's not local footy, you're coming up against really good sides week in week out. The boys are out of their comfort zone, they've give a really good account of themselves all the way through, but that last 20 minutes was was very ordinary from us.
"We missed the jump but we clawed our way back into it but that last 20 minutes but we just lost momentum there, we had two kicks charged down and that swung things a bit.
"From there on we never seemed to have the ball again. We couldn't win the ruck, we couldn't win the middle, and they ended up running away with it which was disappointing."
The loss won't put paid to their finals hopes but, with a poor differential, it makes their final two games against Dubbo Cyms and win-less Wentworthville must-win.
"We've still got a chance, but we've got two games to go and win," Costello said.
"Looking at the draw, if we can go and get those two wins and other things go our way we're a real chance, but we've got to get ourselves right before we worry about anything else."
The Wolves struck first through Lorenzo Mulitalo for a 6-0 lead, though the Butchers hit back with a brilliant solo try from back-rower Harry Leddy.
A try to Patrice Siolo gave the visitors a 10-6 lead at the break before Payne laid on a try for Cooper Bowen and scored one himself courtesy of a kick from brother Daniel. It gave them an 18-10 lead but it was all one way traffic from there, with the visitors running five unanswered tries to seal the win.
Fellow Illawarra hope Wests face a tough task to secure a finals berth after they were comprehensively outgunned 48-0 by league-leaders Maitland on Saturday - Pickers winger James Bradley grabbing five tries.
The Devils still hold fourth spot on the ladder ahead of a home clash with Hills this Saturday with second-placed North Sydney awaiting them in the final round. Only wins in both will guarantee a finals berth.
In the Sydney Shield, three games in six days took its toll on Helensburgh, conceding three tries in the final 10 minutes to surrender a 34-18 lead and go down 36-32 to East Campbelltown.
In Illawarra Open Age footy, Avondale notched 24-16 win over Wests, while Corrimal were in fine form at Ziems Park with a 69-10 win over Helensburgh.
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
