The Bulldogs have walked away from North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon with a commanding 32-14 victory over the Bears.
The Bulldogs led 12-8 at the break, but two tries from Craig Garvey in the second half was the highlight of an impressive 40 and the win now sees the Bulldogs edge closer to the top four.
Both teams had their chances in the early part of the first half, but it was the Bears who drew first blood as five-eighth Adam Douehi used his footwork to break the line and score the Bears first try. Eli Levido converted and the home side led 6 nil.
The Bulldogs were next to score when Renouf To’omaga broke the defence and offloaded to Josh Cleeland for their first try of the afternoon. Rhyse Martin added the extras to have the game level at 6 all.
A knock-on off the kick-off from the Bulldogs invited the Bears inside their half and a penalty in-front of the uprights gifted the Bears an easy two points.
The game was an arm-wrestle and went from one end of the field to the other and when the Bulldogs found themselves in a great attacking position, Bronson Garlick threw a beautiful long ball to winger Reimis Smith who dived over in the corner.
Rhyse Martin converted from the sideline to take a 12-8 lead into half time.
The Bears came out with a point to prove in the early parts of the second half, but were unable to take advantage of their opportunities, before back to back penalties saw the Bulldogs get their third try of the afternoon in the 51st minute through Josh Bergamin.
The visitors couldn't be stopped and when a brilliant offload from Josh Cleeland found Rhyse Martin in open space straight from the kick-off, and eventually placed a well-timed grubber for Craig Garvey who scored right under the posts.
Martin converted and the Dogs led by 14 points after 55 minutes.
The Bulldogs had all the momentum and when Garvey burst through some poor defence to score his second try of the afternoon, the lead was out to 20.
Richie Kennar put the icing on the cake for the Bulldogs with a 70 metre try and stretching the score to 32-8.
The Bears scored a late consolation try to Abbas Miski, but there was no stopping the Bulldogs from recording a strong 32-14 victory and put themselves in fifth position on the ladder.
Bulldogs 32 (C Garvey 2, J Cleeland, R Smith, J Bergamin, R Kennar tries; R Martin 4 goals)
def
Bears 14 (A Doueihi, A Miski tries; E Levido 3 goals)
