Bulldogs suffer first defeat of 2019

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Jersey Flegg team have suffered their first defeat of the 2019 season.

After starting the season with a bye in the opening round followed by three straight victories, the Bulldogs under 20s have gone down to the St George Illawarra Dragons 30-14 at WIN Stadium.

St George led 12-4 at the break, before outscoring the Bulldogs four tries to two in the second half to register their second win of the season.

The Dragons opened the scoring in the opening minute of the match when prop forward Bailey Dickinson crashed over the try-line and Luke Gale converted to give the home side an early 6-0 lead.

Canterbury hit back in the ninth minute through Winger Blake Clayton to trail 6-4, but another try to the Dragons in the 25th minute through interchange forward Hudson Spicer and Gale’s second conversion gave the home team a 12-4 half-time lead.

Back-rower Luke Gale was first to get on the score sheet following the break when he crossed for the Dragons third try of the match.

Jason Saab added another St George try, before Bulldogs winger Clayton grab his second try for the match in the 52nd minute and have the visitors trailing 20-8.

Two further tries for the Saints and a late consolation try for the Dogs in the 69th minute saw the second half out and see the Dragons claim a 30-14 victory.

The loss now has Canterbury sitting in third position on the ladder and set up a round six clash against the fourth placed South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on April 19.