Canterbury’s young pups continue to kick goals in the pathways after the Bulldogs downed Cronulla to claim back-to-back Jersey Flegg titles in the first of three NSWRL grand finals at Commback Stadium.
Coached by Josh Jackson, the Bulldogs were pushed all the way by a resurgent Cronulla Sharks before holding on 14-12 to win the club’s 11th under-21s title, and the first side to win consecutive deciders since Penrith in 2006-07.
While Jackson, the former Bulldogs and Blues Origin legend guided the young pups to victory, it was a towering Queenslander who picked up the man of the match.
Despite persistent cramps in the second half, Sunshine Coast prop Jack Underhill continued to carry the side forward.
“It was like a dishwasher at the end, Cronulla just kept coming it was such a grind,” said Underhill as joyous teammates slapped him on the back.
“Everyone from No.1 to 17 stood up, it was the entire team.
“I’m a proud Queenslander but Josh is my hero. He offers plenty of tips and if I need anything he always calls me. He helps me with everything, he’s the best.”
Early on it was a contest where both sides refused to take a step backwards, but it took an ugly turn in the eighth minute when the Sharks were reduced to 12 men.
After finding the back field, Canterbury winger Jonathan Sua was taken high in a tackle that saw fullback Siteni Taukamo sent to the sin bin.
It was all Canterbury needed to break the ice and they immediately struck on the right edge through centre William Afualo.
On the losing side in last year’s Flegg decider, former Rooster Cassius Tia quickly extended Canterbury’s advantage on the back of two super individual efforts.
After kicking a 40-20, the powerful halfback dived over in the next set and converted his own try to make it 10-0.
With all the ball, Underhill and fellow middle Fahmy Toilalo led Canterbury forward and they took a 14-point advantage to the sheds when Ratu Rinakama dived into the left corner for his 14th try of the season.
Desperate for inspiration, last week’s hat-trick hero Taj Ford breathed life into a Sharks comeback with a sizzling solo effort just after halftime.
The elusive No.6 continued to challenge the line and with six minutes remaining he found unmarked winger Kristian Dixon with a perfect kick to score out wide.
With Riley Pollard’s conversion Cronulla trailed by two and with all the ball in the closing minutes could have pulled off a miracle if not for desperate Canterbury goal line defence.
Article courtesy of Jason Hosken, The Daily Telegraph. Image credit: Bryden Sharp, NSWRL
