The Bulldogs Holden Cup side have tonight gone down in a nail-biter 30-28 against the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
It was five tries a piece but it was the goal kicking that proved to be the difference with the Tigers converting all five of their tries.
It didnt take long for the Bulldogs to open their account for the afternoon with front rower Lloyd Perrett crashing over from close range after just three minutes. Back to back penalties marched the Bulldogs down field and it was just a simple inside ball that gave Perrett just an inch of room and he barged his way over to score under the uprights. Patrick Templeman converted to give the home side an early 6-nil lead.
Ten minutes later it was captain Moses Mbye who extended the lead with a try scored under the uprights once again. Templeman again converted for a 12-nil lead.
The Tigers were able to score their first points with fullback Kurtis Rowe the man to get the ball rolling for the visitors. Winger Manaia Rudolph had the kicking duties and converted with the Bulldogs now leading 12-6.
To finish the first half each side crossed for a try each with the Bulldogs points coming via a John Sila try and a wonderful sideline conversion from Templeman whilst it was Rowe who crossed for his second try of the night which was converted then by Rudolph.
The final minutes of the second half saw the Tigers on the attack but the young pups were able to hold up defensively and they went to the break leading 18-12.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the second stanza with a great individual effort from halfback Jaline Graham. Graham took the ball to the line and after throwing a dummy it opened up a yawning gap and he slipped through to then go round and score under the posts. Templeman again converted nicely to extend the lead out to 24-12.
The next period of the match saw the Tigers gain the upper hand with two tries in five minutes levelling the score up. Halfback Mitchell Moses backed up his opposites individual effort with a piece of brilliance himself to get the Tigers third try and it was then a break down the right with the ball finishing in the hands of centre Leva Li. Both tries were converted with score level at 24-all after 64 minutes.
It wasnt over with the match going down to the wire with each side going over for a try apiece but it was a Rudolph conversion that separated the sides and the Tigers got the victory 30-28.
The Bulldogs went over first with Sila grabbing his second but Templeman was unable to convert from the eastern touchline. Rudolph went over for the Tigers and smartly converted under a lot of pressure with just three minutes
remaining.
Those final minutes saw the Bulldogs throw the ball around but to no avail with
the visitors holding on.
TIGERS 30 (Rowe 2, Moses, Li, Rudolph Tries; Rudolph 5 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 28 (Perrett, Mbye, Sila, Graham Tries; Templeman 4 Goals)
At: ANZ Stadium
It was five tries a piece but it was the goal kicking that proved to be the difference with the Tigers converting all five of their tries.
It didnt take long for the Bulldogs to open their account for the afternoon with front rower Lloyd Perrett crashing over from close range after just three minutes. Back to back penalties marched the Bulldogs down field and it was just a simple inside ball that gave Perrett just an inch of room and he barged his way over to score under the uprights. Patrick Templeman converted to give the home side an early 6-nil lead.
Ten minutes later it was captain Moses Mbye who extended the lead with a try scored under the uprights once again. Templeman again converted for a 12-nil lead.
The Tigers were able to score their first points with fullback Kurtis Rowe the man to get the ball rolling for the visitors. Winger Manaia Rudolph had the kicking duties and converted with the Bulldogs now leading 12-6.
To finish the first half each side crossed for a try each with the Bulldogs points coming via a John Sila try and a wonderful sideline conversion from Templeman whilst it was Rowe who crossed for his second try of the night which was converted then by Rudolph.
The final minutes of the second half saw the Tigers on the attack but the young pups were able to hold up defensively and they went to the break leading 18-12.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the second stanza with a great individual effort from halfback Jaline Graham. Graham took the ball to the line and after throwing a dummy it opened up a yawning gap and he slipped through to then go round and score under the posts. Templeman again converted nicely to extend the lead out to 24-12.
The next period of the match saw the Tigers gain the upper hand with two tries in five minutes levelling the score up. Halfback Mitchell Moses backed up his opposites individual effort with a piece of brilliance himself to get the Tigers third try and it was then a break down the right with the ball finishing in the hands of centre Leva Li. Both tries were converted with score level at 24-all after 64 minutes.
It wasnt over with the match going down to the wire with each side going over for a try apiece but it was a Rudolph conversion that separated the sides and the Tigers got the victory 30-28.
The Bulldogs went over first with Sila grabbing his second but Templeman was unable to convert from the eastern touchline. Rudolph went over for the Tigers and smartly converted under a lot of pressure with just three minutes
remaining.
Those final minutes saw the Bulldogs throw the ball around but to no avail with
the visitors holding on.
TIGERS 30 (Rowe 2, Moses, Li, Rudolph Tries; Rudolph 5 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 28 (Perrett, Mbye, Sila, Graham Tries; Templeman 4 Goals)
At: ANZ Stadium
