NYC: Wests Tigers lose 22-12 to Bulldogs
Friday 17 August 2012 6:20 PM
NYC: Wests Tigers lose 22-12 to Bulldogs
Wests Tigers suffered a 22-12 loss to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium tonight in round 24 of the U20s competition.
The Bulldogs' first points came off the back of a break through the middle of the ruck in the 9th minute. Full-back Patrick Templeman found himself in open space and had the presence of mind to put a grubber across the field for his support which bounced up into the arms of flying winger Jon Sila who dived over on the left hand side of the field. Templeman converted the try to give the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead.
The home side then kept the momentum going with a 40/20 off the very next set from the kick-off to keep the pressure on their opponents.
Wests Tigers didn’t help their cause with some uncharacteristic errors, giving the Dogs more field position. The pressure told in the 15th minute when Bulldogs right winger Sam Ahofono went over after he received a great ball from centre Ed Murphy. Templeman failed to convert the try so the score remained 10-0.
Wests Tigers had several opportunities to hit back but were denied by some well organised Bulldogs defence which forced them into errors.
The 10-0 scoreline at half time could have been worse with the home side denied their third try in the 34th minute. A beautifully orchestrated backline move from the Bulldogs was called back for a forward pass from Murphy to Ahofono.
2nd Half
The Bulldogs extended their lead to 14-0 in the 44th minute when James Ralph sliced through a gap to beat two defenders to score behind the posts. Templeman converted for a 16-0 lead after 45 minutes.
Wests Tigers opened their account in the 63rd minute when second-rower Kyle Lovett crashed over from 10 metres out. Full-back Manaia Rudolph converted the try to leave Wests Tigers trailing 16-6.
Five minutes later, prop Mosese Fotuaika ran onto a pass from dummy half to charge through two defenders in a 15 metre run to score next to the posts after a long run the previous play by winger Matt Evans. Rudolph converted the try to leave Wests Tigers trailing 16-12.
Wests Tigers had limited chances in the final minutes before the Bulldogs sealed victory when Oliver Gordon scored next to the posts in the 77th minute for a 20-12 lead. Templeman converted the try for the 22-12 scoreline.