Continuing a remarkable run of narrow defeats, Thunder threw everything at their opponents only to be undone by some poor decision making and lapses in concentration during the second-half.

Their cause wasn’t helped by questionable refereeing with the penalty count 6-1 against the home team early in the match.

Thunder coach Adrian Purtell, who missed the clash due to a hamstring injury, had a bird’s eye view of the match watching from the balcony with his messages being conveyed to Josh Cale on the bench via a two-way radio.

“It seems to be our season for close losses,” a frustrated Purtell said.

“I couldn’t question our effort, but we probably aren’t playing the smartest football.

“We just need to get out of this habit of losing.

“We aren’t that far off at all.

“We have a young pack and hopefully the boys can learn from these experiences.”

Despite having only a handful of supporters at the ground after embarrassingly forfeiting the reserve grade and under-18 matches, Cootamundra started with plenty of vigor with Jeremy Wood crossing in the fifth minute of the match.

Liam Wiscombe and Damian Scott followed up to give the home team a 12-6 advantage before Bulldog coach Glen Buttriss cut the deficit to 12-10 at half-time.

Then disaster struck with Cootamundra effectively winning the match through tries to Chris Maher (48^th minute), Jason Cronin (60^th minute) and Matthew Forsyth (62^nd minute).

“We have been having those lapses all season and it happened again,” Purtell said.

“The little things hurt you with momentum swings.”

Shannon Rupapere scored in the 69th minute to give Albury Thunder some hope at 24-18 before Bulldog Pat Cameron responded to push the lead out again.

Keanu Wighton crossed in the 78^th minute to give Thunder a pulse but the damage had been done.

Liam Wiscombe, Joel Monaghan and Rupapare were solid performers for the home side while Joe Lumb’s workrate couldn’t be questioned.

Wighton suffered a leg injury in the dying seconds of the match with the speedster in doubt to play against Junee at Junee next weekend.

In other matches, Southcity defeated Gundagai 28-14.

Temora edged out Young 23-22, Tumut upstaged Kangaroos 26-14 and ladder leader Brothers accounted for Junee 34-12.

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