The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs NYC side has today defeated the Penrith Panthers 28-16 in their trial match at Belmore Sports Ground.
The match was played early today due to the extreme weather conditions in Sydney and after trailing 10-6 at half-time, the young pups scored four tries to one in the second 40 to register a victory on home soil.
The Panthers got off a great start with two tries in the opening 15 minutes to lead 10 nil, before fatigue set in which allowed the home side to build pressure.
After a number of repeat sets, the Bulldogs crashed over through edge back-rower Tre Sio four minutes out from the break and with a successful conversion from Keiran Hayman, the home side trailed by four at half-time.
As the heat set in, the players took a well-earned rest which gave Head Coach Brad Henderson an opportunity to make a number of changes to his side for the second half.
With some fresh new faces taking to the field for the second half, the Bulldogs with a simple shift to their right edge found the Panthers short and the Dogs scored out wide through fullback Bailey Simmonson to level the scores at 10-10 in the 48th minute.
The boys in blue and white made it back to back tries after some tired defence from the Panthers exposed their big men and allowed Luis Strickland to score under the posts and give the Bulldogs another four-pointer.
The conversion was good from Hayman right in front and the Bulldogs led 16-10.
Within the space of three minutes, the visitors split the home side’s defence and scored under the post. The conversion was good and the game was locked at 16 all as the players took a drinks break with 19 minutes left on the clock.
As play resumed, both sides went set for set before the Bulldogs exposed the Panthers right hand side defence thanks to a line break from Luis Strickland and some great support from hooker Joseph Tramontana who scored under the post. Another successful conversion from Hayman and the Dogs lead was out to six.
The home side sealed the game with three minutes left as an offload rebounded off a Panthers defender and into the arms of prop forward Jack Gordon who scored next to the post. Hayman made it four from five and the Bulldogs went on to win 28-16.
It was a slow start, but in the end the young pups proved too good in the searing heat for the Penrith Panthers.
FULL TIME: Bulldogs 28 def. Panthers 16
