Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have surged late in the dying moments to secure a 18-15 win over the Canberra Raiders in their second match of the 2022 NSWRL Season at Belmore Sports Ground.
Canberra opened up the scoring in the 7th minute when right centre Josh Billing latched onto a cross-field kick near the Bulldogs try line to crash over for a 4-pointer.
The Raiders were in again moments later down the same edge after Steven Numambo slipped down the sideline to dive over for the visitors, to increase their lead by 10.
Both sides had their fair share of possession for the remainder of the half, with plenty of football played in the middle third of the field.
Though it was a right-to-left movement deep inside the opposition half that saw the Bulldogs take advantage of an overlap for Samuel Kannan to sprint into the left corner to score moments before the halftime siren. The Bulldogs heading into the main break 4-10 down at Belmore Sports Ground.
The visitors were the first to score upon resumption when winger Temple Beauchamp scored off a 2-on-1 effort down the left sideline.
However the Bulldogs clawed their way back, after forward Josh Kalati crossed over to close in on Canberra's lead at 8-14 after 44 minutes.
Momentum started to shift in the home side's favour with possession in good field position to attack their opponent's line. The Raider's defence cracking when Canterbury-Bankstown debutant Joash Papali'i slipped through to go down beside the post. Captain Bailey Hayward nailing the goal from in front to square up the score at 14-14 with 12 minutes to go.
The game swung when Raiders were attacking deep into the Bulldog's half. With the game in the balance, it was Thomas Casey who stepped up to slot a field goal from 30m out with 5 minutes to go.
But it was the home side who would have the last say. Left centre Larson Doyle stealing the match at the death, crashing over from 10m out to pinch the fixture with only seconds remaining.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coming-from-behind to steal a 18-15 win over the Canberra Raiders in Round 2 of the 2022 NSWRL Jersey Flegg Premiership on Saturday night at Belmore Sports Ground.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Tries: Josh Kalati, Joash Papali'i, Larson Doyle, Samuel Kanaan; Goals: Bailey Hayward) def. Canberra Raiders 15 (Tries: Josh Billing, Steven Numambo, Temple Beauchamp; Goals: Mitchel Souter; Field Goal: Thomas Casey)
