The young Bulldogs have let go of a half-time lead this afternoon, going down 28-18 to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The young pups were leading 18-10 at the break but three converted tries to the Broncos in the second half gave them a 28-18 victory.
The side was 1-17 for the match with Scott Murray able to prepare for the clash with no interruptions.
The opening exchanges were spent with the play going from end to end due to a number of penalties being awarded to both sides. It was in the ninth minute where the Bulldogs earned a penalty and from the restart the ball was sent to the right and Dujuan Liolevave went over in the north-east corner. Brendan Cox couldn’t convert from the sideline with the Bulldogs taking an early 6-nil lead.
In the 15th minute the Broncos answered back through prop forward Brett Greinke. It was sloppy defence through the middle and the big boy charged through to score next to the uprights. Jayden Nikorima converted with the home side taking the lead 6-4.
Back to back tries to the Bulldogs put them back in front with a healthy lead, 14-6 after 23 minutes. Centre Michael Morgan crossed in the 18th minute and then back rower Shaun Lane went over with Brendan Cox converting.
The Broncos answered back through Kodi Nikorima and with his brother unable to convert it was the Bulldogs 14, leading the Broncos 10.
With three minutes remaining in the half Morgan went over for his second of the afternoon and Cox couldn’t convert with the Bulldogs then going into the break leading 18-10.
The second half was all the home side with the young Broncos crossing for three second half tries to run away 28-18 victors. Back rower Brendon McBryde scored in just the 43rd minute and with Nikorima converting, the Broncos were just two points behind, 18-16.
It was then halfback Ashley Taylor who crossed for two tries in four minutes with the home side taking a handle of the match. Nikorima converted both of the tries to give the Broncos a 28-18 lead.
As much as the Bulldogs tried, they just couldn’t break the Broncos line and the home side were able to hold on through to the final whistle, winning 28-18.
BRONCOS 28 (Taylor 2, Greinke, K Nikorima, McBryde Tries; J Nikorima 4 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 18 (Morgan 2, Liolevave, Lane Tries; Cox 1 Goal)
