The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have cemented their spot on top of the 2023 Knock On Effect NSW Cup Premiership table with a convincing 28-6 win over the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The fixture kicked off with both sides playing conservatively through the middle of the park. After some back and forth, the match opened up when the away side broke through the middle of the field. Five-eighth Bailey Hayward summed up the situation with a depth grubber into the left corner for centre Reece Hoffman to put the Bulldog's on the board 6-0 after 16 minutes.
The Eels dominated possession shortly after, attacking the Bulldog's try line for a lengthy period. But it would be the Belmore-based club who would reap points, with Blake Wilson on the receiving end of swift ball movement through the team's backline to push the lead out to 10-0 after 30 minutes.
The Bulldog's winger would feature again moments later with a break through the middle of the Eel's defence. He would should back into position on the left edge two plays later to score in the corner. Canterbury-Bankstown closing out the first half with a 16-0 lead.
The home side hit back in the second half when Jack Murchie leaped through the Bulldog's defence to regather a kick and touch down by the post.
However, the joy was short-lived when the Bulldog's scored through Sam Hughes, who dived onto the ball, which had ricocheted off several players. The Bulldog's enjoying a healthy 22-6 lead after 65 minutes.
Fullback and Lebanese International Khaled Rajab would put an exclamation on his side's performance when he dove over before the final hooter. Canterbury-Bankstown running away with a comfortable 28-6 win over the Eels at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28 (Tries: Blake Wilson 2, Khaled Rajab, Reece Hoffman, Sam Hughes; Goals: Bailey Hayward 5) def. Parramatta Eels 6 (Tries: Jack Murchie; Goals: Jordan Rankin)
