The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs NSW Cup season has come to an end after a 44-16 defeat today by the Wyong Roos at Leichardt Oval.
It was seven tries to three after 80 minutes with two quick tries after the half-time break being the moment the match got away from the men in blue and white.
The side was boosted with front rower Lloyd Perrett and back rower Shaun Lane coming into the side but they lost a bit of experience with Antonio Kaufusi being ruled out due to injury.
The first 10 minutes saw plenty of errors after drowning the field got half an hour before kick-off. Players were losing their footing and with that came a number of handling errors.
Soon after the first points were scored with Roos winger Brendan Elliot streaking away down the eastern touchline and over to score. Halfback Tyler Cornish had the kicking duties and beautifully converted from out wide to put the central coast based side in front 6-nil after 13 minutes.
Four minutes later the lead was extended through five-eighth Jono Ford. It was smart play from hooker Mitch Williams who or orchestrated the play, with Ford the beneficiary when he took the ball and crashed over under the uprights. Cornish converted with the score now 12-nil.
A penalty for holding down in the play the ball basically gifted the Roos two points. Cornish had no hesitation and took the shot at goal, extending the lead out to 14-nil.
The Bulldogs needed to be next score and did so with 25 minutes on the clock. Last week’s man-of-the-match winner Jaline Graham threw a magnificent cut out pass to Chase Stanley, who tipped it on to McInally who dived into the corner to score. Levi Dodd couldn’t convert from out wide, the score now 14-4.
Roos winger Abraham Papalii looked to be playing a little bit of back row when he charged on to the ball one of the ruck to score. He had a head of steam and only had eyes for the line which he managed to cross over and score. Cornish converted and the lead was now out to 16, 20-4.
Brute strength from Perrett g gave the Bulldogs their next try which was desperately needed. A penalty gave the side good field possession and the classy front rower showed his talent when he crashed over to score. Dodd converted on this occasion, closing the gap to 20-10.
With two minutes remaining the Roos were handed another penalty and Cornish again elected to take the shot at goal. He converted from 30m out giving them a 22-10 lead at the half-time break.
The Bulldogs had the better of the possession to start the second half but it was the Roos who were able to defend strongly and turn the tide, scoring two tries in four minutes to basically put the match beyond doubt. Centre Nathan Smith grabbed the first of the four-pointers before a turn of speed from fullback Omar Slamankhel split the defence and he strolled over to score. Cornish could only convert one of the tries with the score now 32-10 with 58 minutes gone.
Six minutes later that lead was extended and victory secured for the Roos when their skipper Mitch Williams scored. A grubber was put through and fullback Corey Thompson just couldn’t pick up the awkwardly bouncing ball and Williams scored. Cornish converted to make the score 38-10.
Hooker Brad Clark answered straight back to grab a consolation try when he burrowed under the markers to score. Dodd converted quickly to leave the scoreboard reading 38-16.
Willie Manu scored for the Roos in the 72nd minute to really rub salt into the wound and after Cornish converted. The score now 44-16.
With one minute left on the clock Perrett grabbed another consolation try and after Dodd couldn’t convert, the scoreboard read 44-20 through until the final whistle.
ROOS 44 (Elliot, Ford, Papalii, Stapleton, Slamankhel, Williams, Manu Tries; Cornish 8 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 20 (McInally, Perrett 2, Clark Tries; Dodd 2 Goals)
