Bulldogs Continue Dream Start To Go 2–0

Tegan Dymock took the first hit up to get the match underway at Campbelltown Stadium but it would take 25 minutes for the scoring to open up.

A number of errors, strips and offloads in the first half saw the two sides go set for set, with what can only be described as an arm wrestle up the middle for the better part of the first half.

With the forward packing laying the foundation, Co-Captain Tayla Preston put up a bomb that Terina Te Tamaki fumbled, heaping pressure on the home side.

An error from seasoned vet Holli Wheeler saw a turnover just inches from the line, but an aggressive Bulldogs defence kept the Tigers to their 40 at turnover, setting up another opportunity for the rookies to have a crack at nabbing first points.

A barnstroming run from Kalosipani Hopoate followed by a quick play of the ball, gave Ebony Prior the room from dummy half to burrow across the line at pace and score against her former side.

A converted kick from Preston gave the Bulldogs a 6-point lead.

A mistake by Caitlin Turnbull under pressure from a heavy hit by Prior and Hopoate, lands the Bulldogs their second as Alexis Tauaneai scooped up the loose ball and powered over to score just outside the posts. Preston added the extras to stretch the lead to 12-0 just before the half.

By the break, back-rower Alexis Tauaneai had clocked 12 runs for 132 metres, five tackle breaks and a try, while Holli Wheeler had amassed 96 run metres. Moana Courtenay, after a stunning debut in Round 1 that saw her clutch a double, is ruled out from finishing the match as a precaution while she manages a groin injury.

Fresh from the half, a refreshed Tigers outfit led the charge but were denied a try with the pass ruled forward.

The Tigers back up by earning a line dropout but they come up empty on the repeat set with the Bulldogs maintaining the lead. 

Preston produces a superb dropout wich goes into touch and gets the ball back for the Blue and White. It's quickly lost to an error and the Bulldogs lose their Captain's Challenge to a knock-on call.

Emily Bass added points for the Tigers, picking up a loose ball and crossing on the right edge to make it 12-4. The kick pushes wide and is missed.

Kezi Apps makes it back-to-back tries for the home-side, running 45m to score again in the right corner. Losana Lutu's missed conversion leaves the score at 12-8.

Ash Quinlan leaves the field with an eye gauge injury and for a HIA assessment in the 61st minute, which she later passes.

A further surge from the Tigers right-side edge sees them take another shot at the line, but Turnbull fails to maintain possession of the ball.

Tensions boiled over with less than 5 minutes remaining on the clock and Bulldog's Co-Captain and prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa is sinbinned after making contact in a melee that breaks out.

Down on defensive numbers, the Tigers make one last desperate attempt to level the score but a gritty effort from the Bulldogs holds the side out to go two from two in their debut season.

While the Bulldogs had a number of solid performers, it was 20-year-old back-rower Alexis Tauaneai who stole the show with 20 runs for 215 metres, five tackle breaks and a try in a powerhouse 70-minute display. She was well supported by fellow forwards Holli Wheeler (116 metres) and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (121 metres) while fullback Andie Robinson carved out 20 runs for 164 metres.

The Bulldogs now turn their attention to Round 3 where they will face Teakaraanga-Katoa's former club in the St George Illawarra Dragons. Following her recent debut, Tauaneai will also face off with her sister who made her maiden outing for the opposing side last week.