The Bulldogs NYC side have suffered their tenth loss of the season, going down 28-12 to the Sea-Eagles at Brookvale Oval this evening.
Coach Scott Murray was able to head into the clash with the 17 selected earlier in the week with it being somewhat of a luxury after the last few weeks that have included mass changes due to injuries.
In terrible conditions for rugby league it was a game that most coaches would’ve instructed their men to play through the middle but not the Bulldogs. An early shift to the left saw the young pups have an overlap and sending it through the hands saw Tasi Tasi cross in the south-east corner to register the Bulldogs first points. Brad Keighran brilliantly converted from the sideline to put the Bulldogs in front 6-nil after just seven minutes.
The next 15 minutes was riddled with errors but after the home side earned a repeat set they were able to open their account for the evening. The heavy carries from the Sea-Eagles proved too much and when they shifted it two off the ruck centre Luke Garner crashed over to score. He couldn’t convert his own try with the Bulldogs holding on to a slender lead, 6-4.
With just three minutes left before the break the home side extended their lead through interchange forward Michael Stigg. With players tired and looking for the half-time oranges, Stigg slipped through some lazy defence to put the Sea Eagle in front for the first time. On this occasion Garner converted to give the home side a 10-6 lead at the break.
After the half-time break it again took both sides 10 minutes to work into the match but with slow play the balls it was the home side that were able to jag a penalty for hands in the ruck. Garner elected to take the shot at goal and extended the lead out to a converted try, 12-6.
With possession comes pressure and that’s what the Bulldogs were able to do. It was five-eighth Keighran who darted in around the ruck to score next to the uprights. He was able to convert to level the score at 12-all after 58 minutes.
The remainder of the match was all the Sea-Eagles with the home side able to break down the Bulldogs, starting with two penalty goals and then two converted tries.
The first of those tries came through fullback Tom Trbojevic and the second through halfback Riley Travers. Both were converted by the centre with the Sea-Eagles running away 28-12 winners and with it they moved further away from the Bulldogs at the bottom end of the ladder.
SEA EAGLES 28 (Garner, Stigg, Trbojevic, Travers Tries; Garner 6 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 12 (Tasi, Keighran Tries; Keighran 2 Goals)
At: Brookvale Oval
