Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have cemented their spot on top of the 2023 Knock On Effect Cup with a strong 30-16 victory over the Penrith Panthers in Round 16 at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides enjoyed equal possession and territory to start the game. Though it was the home side who would open the scoring in the 7th minute through right centre Jordan Semrani. A welcome introduction for the Cronulla junior, appearing for the Bulldogs at NSW Cup level after returning from a longterm ACL injury.
The Bulldogs were in again when five-eighth Joseph O'Neill crossed over under the sticks after Sam Hughes burst through a gaping hole in the Penrith defence. The prop seizing the opportunity to draw the opposition fullback to put the local junior over the try line.
Sam Hughes and fullback Blake Wilson combined to prevent a certain Panther's 4-pointer by the posts. However Penrith's Daeon Amituanai would score out wide from an attacking scrum in the following set to notch up their first points of the match.
Scores were locked up at 10-points apiece with 14 minutes to go in the first half. Panther's prop Eddie Blacker proving to strong to barge his way over close to the line.
The Pack were full of running to close out the half, with the forwards setting the platform for one last raid. Left centre Ethan Quai-Ward attracting the Penrith right edge defence to free up Eli Clark down the left touch line. Clark muscling his way 30 metres down field to evade the covering Penrith defence and steal the lead with a miraculous try before the halftime hooter.
Penrith couldn't ask for a better start to the second half after recovering the ball off the kick-off. Though it is the Bulldogs who would turn defence into attack when winger Declan Casey latched onto a pass to race 90 metres down field to increase the sides lead to 20-10 in the 46th minute.
Canterbury-Bankstown were at it again, this time Ryan Gray scooting out of dummy half to break through the Penrith defence. The hooker creating a two-on-one opportunity against Penrith fullback Isaiah Iongi to put halfback Bailey Hayward through to score under the sticks.
The boys from the foot of the mountains answered with a second try to prop Eddie Blacker, who barged his way over once again. Keeping the Panthers in touching distance to stay in the game 26-16 after 57 minutes.
The Panthers gifted the home side with a penalty 27 metres out from their own try line. With the Bulldogs opting to increase their lead to 28-16 from the boot of halfback Hayward 13 minutes from time.
Canterbury-Bankstown closing out with another converted penalty goal to Bailey Hayward. The Bulldog's running out 30-16 winners against the 2022 NSW Cup Premiers, Penrith Panthers at Belmore Sports Ground.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30 (Tries: Declan Casey, Eli Clark, Jordan Semrani, Joseph O'Neill; Goals: Bailey Hayward 3; Penalty Goal: Bailey Hayward 2) def Penrith Panthers 16 (Tries: Eddie Blacker 2, Daeon Amituanai; Goals: )
