After leading 26-12 at half-time, Young was under pressure when the Bulldogs pulled back the advantage to 30-24 late in the game.

A try to Josh Black and the conversion by Matt Forsyth put Cootamundra within reach of an massive upset in the 76^th minute, but Young managed to avoid a disastrous result.

With time almost up, Young forward Will Scott ended Cootamundra’s hopes with try from close range.

Captain-coach James Woolford was disappointed with the second half.

“We were lucky but two points is two points,” he said.

Lachie Jackson shone for Young, scoring a hat-trick.

Jackson crossed first in the ninth minute before grabbing further tries in the 32^nd and 38^th minutes as Young broke clear of the Bulldogs.

However, it took a try to Saul Lealaitafea in the dying seconds of the first half to give the Cherrpickers a decisive 26-12 lead at the break.

The second half was a testing period for Young as Cootamundra produced a great rally.

Young stretched their lead to 30-12 when Jack Bush scored a try in the 47^th minute, but the Bulldogs struck twice to be only down 30-24 in the final minutes.

Ultimately Scott’s try saved the day for Young, but Cootamundra will take great heart from the near miss.

Woolford was disappointed by how his team went away from a game plan that was working in the second half.

“It’s the same old story, we play good for 20 minutes and scored four tries and to their credit they turned up to play football and we didn’t have the right attitude,” he said.

“We need to learn to stick to what we do best and not steer away from the game plan.”

Fullback Thomas Bush pulled out late with a back injury and with prop Aaron Slater out suspended Woolford believes the bye has come at the perfect time for the club.

They’ll have the next two weeks off with the general bye for the June long weekend to follow before taking on Kangaroos next.