The Bulldogs NYC side have registered their first victory of the season, 20-18 over the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
It was three tries a piece but a couple of penalty goals separated the teams when the full-time siren sounded.
It was a scratchy couple of minutes to open the match with a number of penalties to each side but in the eighth minute the young pups were able to open their account through back rower Harry Pondekas. It was a shift to the right and halfback Guy Hamilton gave a short ball to Pondekas who strolled through a gap to score. Brad Keighran converted to put the Bulldogs in front 6-nil.
A weight of possession proved too much for the Rabbitohs and in the 16th minute prop forward Jake Kamire went over for the second try of the afternoon. Four sets on the trot had the red and greens reeling and Kamire pulled out the classic ‘show and go’ before burrowing over to score just to the right of the uprights. Keighran again converted to put the lead out to two converted tries, 12-nil.
Just prior to half-time the young pups earned two quick penalties and chose to take the penalty goal attempt on both occasions. The first one was converted by Hamilton with Keighran kicking the second one from long distance giving the home side a 16-nil lead at the break.
Centre Reubenn Rennie added to the account in the 49th minute when he slid past the defence to score in the south-east corner. Keighran couldn’t convert and the score was now 20-nil.
The Rabbitohs opened their account just four minutes later through winger Damien Goolagong. It was a classy try with an out the back play and a quick shift that saw the speedy winger go over. Jordie Hedges converted to close the gap to 20-16.
It was heart in your mouth stuff in the closing stages with the Rabbitohs scoring two tries through centre John Olive and then Hedges ran one in. Both were converted but the young pups managed to hold on for their first victory of the season 20-18.
BULLDOGS 20 (Pondekas, Kamire, Rennie Tries; Keighran 3, Hamilton Goals)
Def.
RABBITOHS 18 (Goolagong, Olive, Hedges Tries; Hedges 3 Goals)
At: ANZ Stadium
