The Kookaburras went down 27-5 to the home side after tackling for much of the contest.

“We just didn’t have any ball,” coach Andrew Verrell said.

“In all honesty I’d say they had 80 per cent of possession.

“We were defending the whole time and we actually defended

really well.

“There were some good tackles, some try-saving tackles.

“But when we did get some ball, I think because we were so tired from defending, we turned it over.

“They scored four tries on us in counter attack.”

As a result of all the tackling CN had to do, there were some good defensive performances, said Verrell.

He said Daniel Wallace, Nick Rees and Josh Stewart were all good, while try-scorer Heath Riggs and fellow Country rep Ben Colley were also among CN’s better players.

But in the end the game wasn’t won by the side doing all the tackling and Central Coast capitalised on their glut of possession.

“They just controlled the ball well,” Verrell said.

“I think the best side we’ve played so far has been Central West.

“These guys were good but if we’d had more ball I think it would have been a different game.”

“We’d have two or three phases and someone would drop the ball.

“It was unbelievable.”

The injury-hit Kookaburras now have a week to regroup.

They have missed out on a shot against the big guns in the Caldwell Cup and must now drop back to the Richardson Shield again.

They might even run into New England again.

At Orange, Central West had New England on the back foot from the start and led 31-8 at the break.

Mike Te Moana scored NE’s two tries but the locals finished 52-13 winners.

Lions co-coach Jason Lincoln said he still had confidence in his side.

“I thought that our forward pack matched in many areas today,” Lincoln said.

“I felt that our defence close to the ruck was very good and I thought our set piece was competitive, which was a real goal.

“From that aspect I was very happy.

“I think we have a bit of work to do in our defensive structures but if we can improve that aspect of our game, I think we can be

very competitive.”

Lincoln singled out second rower Henry Burridge, flanker Fergus McIntosh and fly-half Tom Boyle for their individual performances.