Canterbury-Bankstown have surged late in their opening 2022 Jersey Flegg encounter to register a 30-16 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Belmore Sports Ground.
The home side hit first in the 13th minute when the Bulldogs shifted the ball wide on the last tackle. Left centre Larson Doyle attracting multiple players before flicking on the ball out the back for winger Samuel Kanaan to muscle his way over in the left corner.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Kanaan was in for a second try minutes later when he chased down a clever kick by Bailey Hayward. The halfback broke away from 50 metres out down the left edge and spotted an opportunity to use his winger's speed.
The Bulldogs captain Bailey Hayward was involved once again when he took off down the right short side short a couple of metres out from the try line. Chipping the ball into the right corner for right centre Compton Fuatimau to touch down.
South Sydney winger Evan Manning made sure the visitors didn't go to the sheds scoreless, sneaking down the right sideline to crash over in the corner to close the half 12-4 to the Bulldogs.
Rabbitohs fullback Jake Tobin got his side back into the contest when dummied and stepped his way over the try line from 10 metres out. And minutes later the fullback clawed his team with another converted try to steal the lead 12-16 at the 57th minute.
The Bulldogs dug in deep when Hayward popped up once again to steal back the lead. Scoring an individual effort near the opposition try line to instil confidence in his side.
Back-to-back tries through Fuatimau and Judda Turahui late in the second half increased the home side's lead, with the match finishing at 30-16 at full time at Belmore Sports Ground.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30 (Tries: Samuel Kanaan 2, Compton Fuatimau 2, Bailey Hayward, Judda Turahui; Goals: Bailey Hayward 3 ) def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (Tries: Jake Tobin 2, Evan Manning; Goals: Jake Tobin 2)
