The Parramatta Eels have proved too strong for the Bulldogs NYC side with a 30-10 victory at ANZ Stadium this afternoon.
An early 18-nil lead was opened up and the young pups just couldn’t claw their way back into the match.
A penalty to each side gave an early chance for both to attack but after the Bulldogs were push into touch at the northern end of the ground, it was the Eels who went the length of the field to open their account for the night through centre Tui Oloapu. A break down the right put the Eels in a commanding position and with the young pups on the back foot, the try was inevitable. Fullback Nathan Davis converted to put the visitors in front, 6-nil after 12 minutes.
Things didn’t get much better through the next period with three further tries scored. An 18th minute four-pointer to Zach Dockar-Clay was followed up by 26th minute try to winger Aaron Pene. With the blue and whites on the ropes and off the back of a midfield bust through the middle, it was Bevan French who went over 10m to the right of the uprights in the 30th minute. Davis couldn’t convert any of the tries with the scoreboard reading 18-nil after 31 minutes of play.
The home side gained some confidence in the final minute of the play through centre John Fomai. A 40/20 kick from Brendan Cox gave the side a repeat set in an attacking position and just two tackles into the set, Fomai muscled his way over in the north-eastern corner. Cox couldn’t convert and the Eels went to the half-time break leading 18-4.
It took 20 minutes for the score to change in the second half with the Eels increasing their lead through Alec Bush. The try was converted through Davis and the score was now 24-4.
Six minutes later John Fomai grabbed his second for the afternoon when he went over in the south-western corner. He showed good strength and carried two defenders across the line and managed to just get the ball down.
Pene scored for the Eels in the final minute of play and with Davis converting, the Eels registered a 30-10 victory.
EELS 30 (Oloapu, Dockar-Clay, Pene 2, French, Bush Tries; Davis 3 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 10 (Fomai 2 Tries; Cox 1 Goal)
At: ANZ Stadium
