The Canterbury Bulldogs have secured their first win of the 2017 Intrust Super Premiership, defeating the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 16-8 at Lottoland.
The Bulldogs started strongly after receiving the first penalty to go on and score the first try of the game. A terrific short pass from Josh Cleeland saw second rower Rhyse Martin grab the opening four- pointer. Martin successfully converted his own try to give the Bulldogs a 6 nil lead.
Blacktown were next on the board after being awarded a penalty following a late shoulder charge from Bulldogs prop Francis Taulau.
Fullback Viliame Kavinga capitalised on the opportunity scoring out-wide. An unsuccessful conversion from Joey Lussick saw the Bulldogs remain in the lead 6-4.
Rhyse Martin missed out on an opportunity in the 30th minute after losing the ball over the try-line before Manly received two consecutive penalties and despite a number of opportunities the Bulldogs defence repelled the Blacktown attack and go into the half-time break 6-4.
With a slow start to the second half, Manly were first on the board after receiving a penalty in front of the posts 15 minutes in. Joey Lussick added the two points to level the scores.
The Bulldogs were given an opportunity in the 60th minute after forcing a goal-line drop out but unfortunately the visitors were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Five minutes later, the home side came close to scoring before Bulldogs winger Tom Carr took a brilliant intercept to stop the Sea Eagles’ momentum.
The momentum turned in the last ten minutes as Blacktown looked certain to score before Rhyse Martin was penalised for taking out Jarrad Kennedy in goal. Joey Lussick successfully converted the penalty goal, ten metres in from the side- line to put the home side in front by two points.
With five minutes remaining, the Bulldogs were quick to respond after receiving possession inside the opposition’s half and after a clever grubber kick from halfback Matt Frawley, Renouf To’Omaga collected the ball and scored. Rhyse Martin’s conversion was unsuccessful and the visitors lead 10-8.
The Bulldogs made it back-to- back tries in two minutes after Rod Griffin went over underneath the posts thanks to the short ball from Craig Garvey. Rhyse Martin converted to extend the Dogs lead 16-8 and secure their first win of the 2017 season.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 16 (Rhyse Martin, Rod Griffin Renouf To’Omaga; Rhyse Martin; 1 goal, 1 penalty goal) def. Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 8 (Viliame Kaveinga; Joey Lussick 2 penalty goals) at Lottoland. Half-time: Bulldogs 6-4 Blacktown Workers
Get out under the Thursday night lights and back your boys at ANZ stadium.
