The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been defeated 34-6 against the New Zealand Warriors at Accor Stadium.
In their very first Indigenous Round clash, the Bulldogs proudly wore the stunning design from Dunghutti woman Kyara Fernando, from Kempsey, NSW.
The match marked the first clash between the Bulldogs and Warriors - the latest clubs to join the NRLW - with captains Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Apii Nicholls exchanging gifts before the match in a show of respect.
Match: Bulldogs v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
away Team
Warriors
6th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Bulldogs fought hard but were unable to claw their way back from a 12-6 half-time deficit, with a tough second half seeing key figures Tegan Dymock, Tayla Preston and Ashleigh Quinlan unable to finish the match at various stages.
A penalty from the outset put the side on the back-foot, and the Bulldogs were forced to defend multiple sets in the opening exchanges - with the Warriors crossing out wide through Payton Takimoana. The missed conversion saw the hosts trail 4-nil after four and a half minutes.
Possession swung the way of the Bulldogs soon after an error on the Warriors' 20m line, but it was the visitors finding next points through Patricia Maliepo, who converted her own try to extended the Warriors' lead.
Needing a reversal in fortune, the rushing defence forced an error on the following set with Dymock falling agonisingly short of the line as further ill discipline saw the side hand over further possession.
Hopoate Barges Over
Teakaraanga-Katoa and Elizabeth MacGregor looked to inspire with fierce charges downfield, but it was Kalosipani Hopoate continuing the momentum to crash over and score. Preston's conversion closed the gap to four points with ten before the break.
A tough penalty for late contact on the kicker and a follow up penalty saw the Warriors go up by a further two points at the break, with the scoreline at 12-6.
With the heavens opening up and plenty of work to be done, the deficit grew further following an inch-perfect touchdown from the Warriors in the corner before a second try to Maliepo.
Preston's boot landed a much-needed 40/30, but once again crucial errors saw the side unable to capitalise on field position, with the Warriors crossing twice more to seal the result.
In Round 7, the Bulldogs will travel to Townsville and face the Cowboys on Sunday night.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6 (Kalosipani Hopoate tries; Tayla Preston goal) def by New Zealand Warriors 34 (Patricia Maliepo 2, Tyra Wetere 2, Payton Takimoana, Tysha Ikenasio tries; Patricia Maliepo 4 goals; Patricia Maliepo penalty goal)
