Pups claim one-point victory

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have claimed a hard fought one-point victory over premiership contenders, the Sydney Roosters at Belmore Sports Ground.

The Bulldogs 17-16 victory was built on defence and commitment and gives the young pups back-to-back victories following last week’s two-point win over the Dragons.

With a number of key inclusions, including Tui Katoa and James Roumanos as well as positional changes, David Penna’s men showed a real fighting spirit before an Alex Seve field goal in the 69th minute gave the home side the victory.

The visitors led 10-6 at the break after tries from Ethan Quai-Ward and Elih Jackson in the 22nd and 26th minutes of the opening half and a conversion from Zane Harris, before a Canterbury try from winger Blake Clayton and a further two points from Jake Averillo just before half-time closed the Roosters lead to four heading into the second half.

Following half-time, the Bulldogs built their game on defence and continually denied the Roosters through their desperation and commitment to hold the tri colours out.

The Dogs scored through Frank Kuresa and Lachlan Taulau, while Stanley Malae got the only try for the Roosters in the second half.

Averillo converted the Talau try in the 65th minute to level the scores at 16-all before the Dogs got themselves in good field position four minutes later and Seve added the one point from 20 metres out.

A short kick-off followed, and the Bulldogs got the ball back to see out the half and register a 17-16 victory.