Senior Pathways Wrap Round 23: HNWP Thump Steelers

Canterbury-Bankstown wrestled back momentum almost immediately. Sexton, controlling the tempo with precision, slipped Lipoi Hopoi through a perfect short hole just 10 metres out. The back-rower barely had to break stride as he crashed over untouched in the 18th minute. Sexton converted for 12-6.

The Bulldogs’ left side continued to wreak havoc. In the 27th minute, Jack Todd backed himself with a determined solo effort, lowering the shoulder and barging over defenders to score. Sexton’s flawless boot extended the lead to 18-6.

Just when it looked like the Bulldogs might carry a two-score buffer into the sheds, the Warriors hit back with a moment of finesse. In the 35th minute, a beautifully weighted grubber kick skidded toward the in-goal, where Setu Tu dived at full stretch to ground it centimetres before the dead-ball line. Boyd’s sideline conversion kept the visitors in touch at 18-12 at half-time.

The Warriors stormed out of the sheds, their forwards tearing through the middle to win the ruck and force the Bulldogs backwards. That dominance paid off just two minutes into the half when Toby Crosby took a short ball close to the line, brushed off two defenders, and crashed over beside the uprights. Boyd converted to level the game at 18-18.

The visitors struck again in the 46th minute. Off the back of another strong set, Boyd shifted the ball wide to Geronimo Doyle, who showed great reach and strength to ground it for the Warriors’ fourth try. The conversion missed, but the Warriors had the lead for the first time at 22-18.

The Bulldogs weren’t done yet. In the 51st minute, Sexton again turned to his kicking game, floating a pinpoint cross-field bomb to Blake Wilson. The winger did brilliantly to stay in the field of play, twisting and diving to score despite the sideline breathing down his neck. Sexton added the two for 24-22.

Momentum stayed with the home side when Jonathan Sua crossed in the 55th minute. A simple but well-executed left-edge sweep exposed the Warriors’ defensive numbers, and Sua slipped through to score. Sexton’s conversion made it 30-22, giving the Bulldogs an eight-point advantage with just over 20 minutes left.

The Bulldogs looked to be in control, but the Warriors’ forwards dug deep, surging through the middle once again to set up an attacking platform. In the 60th minute, Boyd steered a set play to the left edge, sending a cut-out pass to Sio Kali, who powered through the gap to score. Boyd’s conversion reduced the deficit to 30-28.

With 10 minutes to play, the match was balanced on a knife’s edge. The Warriors launched one last charge, keeping the ball alive with quick hands and in-and-out passing across the park. Then came the moment of the match when Sio Kali pounced on a Setu Tu offload, tore into open space and sprinted 60 metres to the try-line. His second try of the afternoon put the Warriors in front 32-30, and Boyd’s fifth conversion sealed the 34-30 lead.

The Bulldogs threw everything at the visitors in the dying minutes, but the Warriors’ defence held firm, securing a victory that not only showcased their resilience but sealed the minor premiership.

Talking Points

• The Bulldogs were dominant early through the middle, led by a composed Toby Sexton steering them into great attacking positions and forcing repeat sets with his pinpoint kicking game. However, as the match wore on, the Warriors’ pack wrestled back control and rolled downfield with ease.
• Sio Kali’s impact was game-changing for the Warriors. The strike centre finished with a double, including the match-winning runaway try, and constantly troubled Canterbury-Bankstown’s edge defence with his speed and timing.
• Tanah Boyd’s control and conversion accuracy (five from six) kept the Warriors in striking distance all afternoon, while Sexton’s perfect night off the tee (five from five) and playmaking was equally influential for Canterbury-Bankstown.
• The match was a genuine arm-wrestle, as momentum swung back and forth for 70 minutes before the Warriors delivered the knockout punch.

Key Moment

With the Bulldogs leading 30-28 and less than 10 minutes on the clock, the Warriors kept the ball alive in desperate fashion before an offload was pounced on by Sio Kali. In a blink, the centre was in the clear, sprinting 60 metres downfield to score his second try of the day, the game-winner that stunned the Bulldogs and sealed the comeback.

What’s Next?

The Bulldogs face the Canberra Raiders in Round 24, while the Warriors head to St Marys to take on the Penrith Panthers.

HNWP: Bulldogs 26 def Steelers 0

It was a resounding victory as the Bulldogs' Harvey Norman Women's Premiership side against Illawarra, scoring six tries to nil in a 26-point victory at Jubilee Stadium. 

Looking for a victory after a narrow defeat to Souths last weekend, the Blue and Whites got to work quickly as Taylah Fuiava crossed after just five minutes.

In the 20th minute, Simina Lokotui went over, before fellow winger Bridget Hoy touched down just four minutes later as the side took a12-nil lead into the sheds. 

Another quick fire brace of tries upon resumption saw Lokotui extend the lead further as she completed her hat-trick, before halfback Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau put the icing on top with a four-pointer in the dying stages. 

In Round 7, the Bulldogs will travel to Sharks Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face Cronulla-Sutherland. 

Jersey Flegg Cup: Bulldogs 26 def Warriors 14, Silktails 22 def by Tigers 34

The Bulldogs' side took one step closer to solidifying a spot in the Jersey Flegg Cup finals with a solid 26-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors at Leichhardt Oval.

In a close first half determined by just two points, both sides went tit-for-tat with two tries apiece as Latrell Fing (12th minute) and Jope Rauqe (30th minute) crossed for the Blue and Whites. 

After the Warriors extended their lead, the Bulldogs replied in kind through Alekolasimi Jones. With the conversion, the scores were level with 20 minutes remaining.

Continuing their momentum, the Bulldogs touched down just shy of 10 minutes on the clock through Rauqe, but the winger wasn't done there - sealing the result and  completing his hat-trick with a try in the 76th minute. 

Meanwhile the Kaiviti Silktails fell short of a famous comeback, downed 34-22 against the Wests Tigers at Lidcombe Oval.

While the Tigers touched down first, the Silktails were quick to fire back through Melikiseteki Nacaginimasei. Samuel Ratavola added his name to the scoresheet soon after, but it was the hosts taking an 18-10 lead at the break. 

While the Tigers ran in four tries upon resumption, the Silktails kept in the fight through tries to Iowani Mainalovo and Tevita Mataiwai to close the gap to twelve with as many minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the scoreline remained at 34-22 at full-time.

In Round 24, the Bulldogs will face the Bulldogs head down to Belconnen to face the Canberra Raiders, while the Silktails host the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. 

Ron Massey Cup Round 18 Replay: Bulldogs 10 def by Dirty Reds 48

The Bulldogs' Ron Massey Cup side were unable to claim victory in their rescheduled Round 18 match against the Glebe Dirty Reds.

Played on Wednesday night at McCredie Park in Guildford, the Bulldogs found themselves with a mountain to climb after their opponents started in red-host fashion with the scoreline reading 28-nil at the break.

While tries to Genesis Ah Kam Sherlock and Blair Tagi-Fuimaono closed the deficit, however the visitors went on to record a 48-10 victory.

In Round 20, the Bulldogs will host the Wentworthville Magpies at Hammondville Oval on Saturday night.