Round one of the Jersey Flegg competition kicked off last weekend with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs travelling to Melbourne on Saturday to face the Victoria Thunderbolts.
It was the first official Jersey Flegg fixture in 12 months following the cancellation of last year’s competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021 NSWRL has implemented changes to the age restrictions for Junior Representative teams with the Jersey Flegg competition now moving from under 20s to under 21s.
With so much excitement ahead of the season for a host of the club’s junior players who missed a lot of rugby league in 2020, the Jersey Flegg team started the new year with a 28-18 victory.
Guided by Head Coach Luke Vella, the under 21s ran in five tries to three to and claim a 10-point win in the season opener.
In the pouring rain, the home side ran in three tries to two and take an 18-10 lead into the half time break.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 1 -
home Team
Storm
10th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
4th Position
Venue: Gosch's Paddock, Victoria
With the first half riddled with errors, Canterbury took control of the match in the second half through high completions and holding on to the ball to build pressure and apply points to the scoreboard.
Three second half tries from the visitors through Anthony Pele, Vikilifi Hopoi and Bailey Biondi-Odo guided the Bulldogs to a round one victory.
Biondi-Odo converted three of the five tries and added a penalty goal for a 12-point haul.
Canterbury will now turn their attention to the Penrith Panthers at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday March 20, kicking off at 10.30am.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28 (Tries: Chris Patolo, Anthony Pele, Vikilifi Hopoi, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Laitia Moceidreke; Goals Biondi-Odo [4]) def. Victoria Thunderbolts 18 (Tries: Saimone Ahomana, Jonah Pezet, Jack Natapu; Goals Daniel Atkinson [3])
Jersey Flegg Highlights: Round 1 v Thunderbolts
