However, it was a promising sign for the Dogs as they managed to match it for most of the contest with the Tigers in their 12-10 loss at the Taralga Sports Fields on Saturday, July 13.

The Dogs were leading, before an 88^th minute try in injury time sunk them.

Crookwell Dogs coach Bruce Nixon said it was disappointing, but would move on.

"The boys deserved to get a better result, but it is what it is," Nixon said.

"On the positive side of it all, they are a team that has been undefeated and we managed to lead for two thirds of the game.

"I was very proud of the way the boys played.

"To come within a whisker to defeating a team that is undefeated will give us confidence when we play them again in a couple of weeks time."

Heading into the match, they had to be on top of their game defensive and Nixon felt they were.

"To concede two tries to a side with those capabilities shows we were very good defensively," he said.

"They worked hard together and frustrated Taralga."

Despite the disappointment of a two point loss, Nixon felt his side was getting better and better each week.

"We've gone another step up," he said.

"Our improvement is that we are still improving.

"The confidence and consistency in what we do is getting to a level where the players are taking it into games now and not falling off."

The Dogs remain in second spot on the ladder, but face a tough task away to Yass next week.

"We said after the bye that we needed to beat all the teams below us."

"Going to Yass away is a hard game for us, so we really have to make sure we are on our game to get the result that we want."

That game will be played on Saturday, July 20 from 2.30pm at Victoria Park.

In other results, Jindaybyne beat Batesman Bay, Braidwood beat Broulee and Bungendore beat the Yass Rams.

The Rams are coming off a run of three consecutive losses in the last three rounds, and will be looking to snap that losing streak against the Dogs.

Crookwell will be hard-pressed to take down Yass at home, who have yet to fully deliver on the promise shown in the early rounds.

Best and Fairest: Jimmy Croker (3), Danny Knight (2), Lachlan Mccue and Mitchell Horton (1)

Players' Player: Danny Knight

Chicks Pick: Jimmy Croker