Bulldogs, Titans Receive a Point a Piece in the NRLW’s First-Ever Draw

For 80 minutes, due to extra time, there was plenty of action for fans braving the weather to enjoy and a second-half comeback effort for the Bulldogs to be proud of.

Elizabeth MacGregor once again shone brightly, grabbing two tries for the Blue and White and making it four in just two games since marking her debut last weekend against the Roosters. Meanwhile, Co-Captain Tayla Preston impressed with an incredible kicking game to keep the Blue and White in the match for the full and gruelling 80 minutes.

The Bulldogs' outfit were hit hard by early injuries: Forward Shannon Muru was forced to leave the field for a HIA just five minutes into the match while her replacement Shaniece Monschau suffered an ankle injury moments later. Titans winger Lily Patston was also assisted from the field during the opening minutes with an ankle injury.

The Titans were the first to open the scoring with winger Georgia Gray crossing in the corner. The conversion failed, leaving the score at 4-0, 11 minutes in.

Despite the adversity, the Bulldogs continued to display their trademark grit and force pressure on the Titans. They earned a goal-line dropout after Grey lost a Tayla Preston signature kick in the in-goal.

Titans answered back with Natasha Penitani extending the opposing side's lead to 8-nil. A converted kick from in front of the posts makes it 10-nil at 26 minutes.

Three minutes later, last week's star and 18-year-old Elizabeth MacGregor hauled across her wing to make it 10-4. Preston missed the hard kick from out wide, coming up against the unrelenting rain and harsh winds.

Titans added another just before the half, when Jasmine Solia (replacement for Patson) collected a well-placed grubber to cross in the corner and make it 14-4 at the break.

With only one player left on the bench at the break, the Bulldogs received some good news to start the second half with Muru and Uilou cleared of their HIA's and back on the field. 

Fresh from the break, Preston and five-eighth Ash Quinlan were out to get the Bulldogs back on top when they combined to put centre Monica Tagoai through.

Preston converted to close the gap and make it Titans 14 - Bulldogs 10.

Three minutes later, Preston was back in top form and produced a 40/30 kick to keep building on the momentum for the Bulldogs. The kick earned the opportunity to draw level, with MacGregor capitalising and crossing for her second try.

Preston and Quinlan proved quite the dynamic duo, once again combining to threaten the Titans' line and send it out to Tagoai. A perfectly timed pass from the agile centre left MacGregor open on the wing to cross with ease and make it level at 14-14.

Despite the well-timed pass, a late high-tackle by Solia on Tagoai forced her from the field. Solia was sin-binned due to the dangerous play. Tagoai's injury activated the Bulldogs' 18th man in Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau.

The try from MacGregor makes it four tries in just two games for the 18-year-old rising star. She earned her first double last weekend against the Roosters on debut, before once again earning the double in this afternoon's match.

Back on the field and Preston missed the sideline conversion, leaving it tied at 14 all and setting the afternoon up for a nail-biting set-for-set finisher.

Heaping pressure on the Gold Coast side, Preston nailed another 40/30 and forced a goal line drop out with a perfectly placced grubber in the wet conditions.

Back to 13 v 13 with Solia returned to the field, Hope Millard was forced from the field after receiving a loose ball square to the side of her head. She was later assessed as a HIA and passed. 

Unfortunately, Tagoai was ruled a category 1 from the earlier incident and did not return to the field.

With the minutes running down on the clock, the match was destined for Golden Point for just the fourth time in NRLW history.

In extra time, Preston's field goal attempt narrowly missed - an impressive kick attempt given the conditions. A minute later, the Titans were set in position for a goal attempt, but a knock-on error in the play the ball gave the Bulldogs another chance. 

Desperately fighting to get back into position for another shot at a field goal, the Bulldogs did well to get back up the field however defensive pressure denied Preston another shot at goal. 

Still at 14-14 after the first lot of extra time, another five minutes of play was added, but neither side could muster a miracle play to break the deadlock, and the match concluded in a 14-14 draw (the NRLW's first-ever draw).

Each side will receive one point, and the Bulldogs now turn their attention to their Round 6 clash against the Warriors at Accor Stadium (home game) next weekend.

The Bulldogs will be looking to claw their way back into the winners' circle as they face their fellow NRLW newcomer side on Saturday, August 9.

Head Coach Brayden Wiliame praised his side's effort, given the adversities of the match and was thrilled with their never-say-die attitude despite being down at the half, the injury setbacks, adverse weather and the limited available interchange.