The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have booked a spot in the 2022 NSW Cup Grand Final after taking down the Newtown Jets 28-26 at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Newtown Jets opened the scoring inside the first five minutes through Cook Island's international Kayal Iro, who was able to dance his way through the Bulldog's right edge defence.
A midfield break from centre Declan Casey down the left edge minutes later got the Bulldogs back on the front foot. Creedence Toia running in support to eat more metres into Jet's territory. A quick play-the-ball saw Brandon Wakeham weigh up his options, electing for a pinpoint cross-field kick which was regathered by winger Jayden Okunbor to get the Bulldogs on the board.
The Belmore-based club were on the run again when Jackson Topine broke free from the halfway line, before being pulled down 15 metres short of the try line. Wakeham seizing the opportunity to kick wide for Okunbor who was open to score his second of the afternoon to take the lead 10-6 after 20 minutes.
Okunbor was in the thick of it again in following set of six. This time retrieving a Wakeham midfield bomb and turning it back inside for forward Jayden Tanner to crash over for Canterbury-Bankstown's third and increase the lead to 16-6.
It was all one way traffic for the Bulldogs when left centre Declan Casey crashed over close to the line to increase the margin again at 22-6 after 29 minutes.
Newtown centre Rennie was able to get his side back in the game when he was able to barge his way through to dot down. Though the celebrations were cut short when opposite centre Paul Alamoti returned serve with a barnstorming run of his own to grab a 4-pointer. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs heading into the sheds with a healthy 26-10 lead at halftime.
The Jets made the perfect start to the second half when Rennie nabbed his second of the afternoon 2 minutes in from the restart. Trindall nailing the conversion to bite into the Bulldog's 26-16 lead.
Canterbury-Bankstown were hit with trouble, with the game coming to a halt after backrower Kurtis Morrin succumbed to a left ankle injury. The Moorebank Ram's local junior exiting the game after 47 minutes.
A penalty to the blue and white minutes after the game resuming saw Bulldog's halfback Wakeham convert from in front to push the lead out to 28-16 with 29 minutes to go.
With Newtown building pressure on Canterbury-Bankstown's line, Jet's halfback Braydon Trindall was able to unlock the Bulldog's defence to put winger Tom Rodwell to set up a tense last quarter with the Jets trailing 28-20 with 17 minutes remaining.
The Leichhardt Oval crowd were on their feet when Newtown forward Vincent Rennie crashed over by the post. Trindall converting from in front to cut into the Bulldog's 28-26 lead.
The drama only increased when the Newtown Jets were awarded a penalty on the right hand touch line, with Braydon Trindall given the opportunity to draw the game. An unsuccessful conversion seeing the Bulldogs holding on for a 28-26 win over the Newtown Jets at Leichhardt Oval.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will face the Penrith Panthers next Sunday September 25 in the 2022 NSW Cup Grand Final.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28 (Tries: Jayden Okunbor 2, Jayden Tanner, Paul Alamoti; Goals: Brandon Wakeham 3; Penalty Goal: Brayden Wakeham) def. Newtown Jets 26 (Reubenn Rennie 2, Kayal Iro, Tom Rodwell, Vincent Rennie; Goals: Braydon Trindall 3)
