What better way to celebrate your 200th game than scoring in the first 30 seconds of the match and setting up a victory that locks up third spot for your side.
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That's what Mudgee's Jared Robinson did in his side's clash against the Lithgow Workies at Glen Willow Stadium on Saturday, the Dragons winning 16-12 to guarantee themselves at least one home final.
The round 18 clash was Mudgee's Old Boys' Day along with a remembrance for Robbie Gillham and a 10-year anniversary celebration of their 2009 title win over Workies, so there was plenty of hype.
Moments after kick-off, the ball made its way down to the wing to fall in the hands of Robinson who planted the first try of the match all but half a minute in, and he says he can't be more pleased about it.
"It was a great way to start, I'm pretty happy with that," Robinson said.
It took 26 minutes until the next four points were scored which went to Lithgow who successfully converted.
Big hits from Mudgee meant the visitors struggled to gain any ground, despite a collection of penalties awarded.
The Dragons had multiple chances at taking the lead but virtually threw them away to leave half-time trailing the Workies by two, 6-4.
It was a brilliant game that came down to the wire. I couldn't be happier.
- Jared Robinson
Eight minutes into the second half saw another four points awarded to the Workies, extending their lead to 12.
When it seemed all hope was lost for the home side, Nathan Orr, 15 minutes until the full-time whistle, brushed off a head hit to make his way to the try line to score which was followed by a Ben Thompson conversion.
Moments later Thompson followed up with a penalty kick to even the score, 12-all.
A collection of passes made their up and down the line eventually making its way to Harrison Maynard who dove in the corner to secure the victory, sealing third spot of the ladder.
"It was a brilliant game that came down to the wire," Robinson said.
"It's a good hit up into the semi final, it shows the type of games we're going to be in for."
Robinson admits he was 'pretty happy' to discover his 200th game was against Lithgow due to their quality.
"I was pretty happy when I found out it was against Lithgow, through my career we've had a lot of hard games against them and I was always happy to get a game like that," he said.
"It's a big milestone [200 games] and those types of things deserve good games.
Booking their ticket to the semi-finals, Robinson says there is no better time to have the side back at full strength.
"We're only a couple of blokes away from having a full strength side and there's no better time than to be heading into semi-finals," he said.
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