The Bulldogs seized their third-consecutive victory with an emphatic 52-8 thumping against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.
The visitors beat the third-placed Warriors for their first loss at home after defeating the top-of-the-table Mounties the previous week.
The Bulldogs enter the top eight after disposing of two of the top-four teams in consecutive weeks as they slowly build momentum for an end-of-season Finals siege.
Canterbury Bulldogs 52 (T Phillips 4, D Chisholm 2, D Minute, D Cook, L Dodd, S Lane tries; C Stanley 6 goals) beat NZ Warriors 8 (M Lino try; Lino 2 goals)
Newcastle Knights 34 (K Holland 3, C Mata'utia, J Mamo, C Redmond tries; Holland 5 goals) beat Mounties 22 (B Tupou, P Mataele, J Hawkins, J McCrone tries: M Cornish 3 goals)
SUMMARY: The Knights held off a fast-finishing Mounties side to clinch their first victory in three matches to win 34-22. With both sides desperate for victory, the Knights jumped out to a 16-0 lead after 12 minutes before Mounties surged back. Mounties slump to their fourth loss in their past five matches.
Wyong Roos 28 (S Langi 2, N MacDonald 2, B Leslie, S Matagi tries; T Cornish, J Siejka goals) bt Newtown Jets 12 (T Murphy, R Moujalli tries; N Gardner 2 goals)
SUMMARY: Wyong Roos defeated the Newtown Jets 28-12 as both teams put on a spectacle for the Muswellbrook locals. Samisoni Langi put in a strong performance for the Roos, whilst a quick Nene McDonald double when the game was in the balance really pulled the game away from the Jets.
Illawarra Cutters 28 (T Cranston 3, J Hunt, C Runciman tries; S Crook 4 goals) bt Wests Tigers 20 (J Sila 2, K Rowe, S Funaki tries; J Drinkwater 2 goals)
SUMMARY: Illawarra Cutters defeated West Tigers 28-20 in Goulburn. Despite being down a man at stages during the first half, Wests Tigers went to halftime up 16-10. The Cutters started the second half on top, blowing Wests Tigers off the park with three quick tries. From that point on the Cutters were able to hold on for a vital win.
Penrith Panthers 16 (T Sopoaga, I John, W Smith tries; A Davis 2 goals) bt Wentworthville Magpies 0
SUMMARY: The Penrith Panthers remain in first place on the VB NSW Cup competition table after they beat Wentworthville 16-0 at a rain-soaked Regional Stadium in Port Macquarie. The Panthers led 10-0 at half time after tries from Tupou Sopoaga and Isaac John. They extended their lead by a converted try through centre Will Smith.
Manly Sea Eagles 30 (B Fritz 2, D Reardon, K Aldridge, T Andrews tries; Aldridge 5 goals) bt North Sydney Bears 10 (E Murphy 2 tries; D Nicholls goal)
SUMMARY: Manly proved too good for North Sydney by running out winners 30 points to 10 at the new Scully Park in Tamworth. Manly's Jayden Hodges was outstanding in the win causing havoc around the ruck. A good crowd was on hand to witness the VB NSW Cup game and if the attendance figure is anything to go by, there will be more country football to come.
This article first appeared on NSWRL.com.au
