The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers met in the VB NSW Cup on Saturday and it was the Tigers who prevailed 36-20 at Leichhardt Oval.
The match started at a frenetic pace with both sides looking for the ascendency. It was the Tigers who opened the scoring through half back Jack Madden in the 10th minute for a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs replied in the 20th minute when a swift backline move to the left saw Drury Low cross in the corner to tie the game up at 4-4.
Two quick tries to the Tigers Jarrod Farlow and giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro gave the Tigers a 12-4 lead after 36 minutes and a powerful surge out wide saw Paul Carter cross in the corner for a 12-8 Tigers lead at half time.
The Bulldogs came out after the break with renewed enthusiasm and another strong run by Paul Carter saw the young back rower cross for his second try near the posts and with Tim Lafais conversion, the Bulldogs had a 14-12 lead after 47 minutes.
Just as the Bulldogs looked to build momentum, a series of errors in defence turned the game pear shaped for Barry Wards side and the Tigers took complete control of the match with four tries in 10 minutes.
Tries to Allan McGrath (50th minute), Taqele Naiyaravoro (55th & 58th minute) and Eddie Paea (60th minute) put the game away for the Tigers who had cleared out to a 32-14 lead.
The Bulldogs replied with a converted try to Brett Lane out wide but a last minute try to winger Taqele Naiyaravoro who crossed for his fourth of the afternoon saw the final score blow out to 36-20 in favour of the Wests Tigers.
Best for the victors were Eddie Paea, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Joel Luani.
For the Bulldogs, Kris Keating, Paul Carter and Harlan Alaalatoa had strong games.
Next week the Bulldogs VB NSW Cup side return to Belmore Sports Ground for a must win clash against Manly Warringah with kick-off at 3:00pm.
Scorers
Bulldogs 20
Tries: Paul Carter (2), Drury Low and Brett Lane
Goals: Tim Lafai (2)
Wests Tigers 36
Tries: Taqele Naiyaravoro (4), Jack Madden, Eddie Paea, Allan McGrath and Jarrod Farlow
Goals: Sean Meaney (2)
The match started at a frenetic pace with both sides looking for the ascendency. It was the Tigers who opened the scoring through half back Jack Madden in the 10th minute for a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs replied in the 20th minute when a swift backline move to the left saw Drury Low cross in the corner to tie the game up at 4-4.
Two quick tries to the Tigers Jarrod Farlow and giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro gave the Tigers a 12-4 lead after 36 minutes and a powerful surge out wide saw Paul Carter cross in the corner for a 12-8 Tigers lead at half time.
The Bulldogs came out after the break with renewed enthusiasm and another strong run by Paul Carter saw the young back rower cross for his second try near the posts and with Tim Lafais conversion, the Bulldogs had a 14-12 lead after 47 minutes.
Just as the Bulldogs looked to build momentum, a series of errors in defence turned the game pear shaped for Barry Wards side and the Tigers took complete control of the match with four tries in 10 minutes.
Tries to Allan McGrath (50th minute), Taqele Naiyaravoro (55th & 58th minute) and Eddie Paea (60th minute) put the game away for the Tigers who had cleared out to a 32-14 lead.
The Bulldogs replied with a converted try to Brett Lane out wide but a last minute try to winger Taqele Naiyaravoro who crossed for his fourth of the afternoon saw the final score blow out to 36-20 in favour of the Wests Tigers.
Best for the victors were Eddie Paea, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Joel Luani.
For the Bulldogs, Kris Keating, Paul Carter and Harlan Alaalatoa had strong games.
Next week the Bulldogs VB NSW Cup side return to Belmore Sports Ground for a must win clash against Manly Warringah with kick-off at 3:00pm.
Scorers
Bulldogs 20
Tries: Paul Carter (2), Drury Low and Brett Lane
Goals: Tim Lafai (2)
Wests Tigers 36
Tries: Taqele Naiyaravoro (4), Jack Madden, Eddie Paea, Allan McGrath and Jarrod Farlow
Goals: Sean Meaney (2)
