IN the end, it just wasn't going to be.
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Long Flat will not contest the Hastings League semi final series for the first time in, well, a long time after going down to eventual minor premier Kendall on Saturday.
For the Dragons though, there was some bright spots including the celebration of Jason Smith's 100th game for the club.
Kendall was forced to play with just 12 men for 20 minutes of the contest after two players were given a rest at various stages of the match.
But the 40-24 scoreline was probably not a true indication of the match.
The Blues opened the scoring after just one minute with centre Tyler Smith crossing and when halfback Alex Pearce booted the extras the score was 6-0.
That soon doubled when fullback Daniel Minns crossed and Pearce again converted before the Dragons scored a converted try through centre Josh Henry with five-eighth Corey Millgate converted for 12-6 scoreline.
Kendall pushed the match almost out of reach with tries to Brandon Platter, 23rd, Smith 29th and Andrew Howe 34th minutes with Pearce landing two conversions for a 28-6 scoreline.
One minute from half time Smith crossed for a memorable try in his 100th game and Millgate added the extras. That left the score at 28-12 at the break but not before Kendall's secondrower Blake Rodgers was sin binned.
The Dragons of mounting a fightback is to be the first scorers after the break and forward Vance Byles got his team moving with a try on 53 minutes. Millgate landed the conversion and there was hope for the Dragons supporters at 28-18.
That increased further when Minns was sin binned on 57 minutes before Dragons fullback Mitch Johnson powered over the line for a try. Millgate booted the extras and suddenly the Dragons were well and truly in the contest at 28-24.
But the final 12 minutes belonged to the Kendall side with Luke White and Rodgers crossing for tries and Jahbe Latham landing the two conversions for a 40-24 scoreline.
For the Dragons Keith Hollis led the hit ups with 27 followed by Tom Willemsem and Shaun Bannerman with 25 each while in defence Scott Ferrier 41, Hollis 28 and Willemsen 25 led the way.