Match Report: NSW Cup Round 17 vs Bulldogs

The Bulldogs, who were coming off a 28 point win over the Warriors last round, led Manly  34-0 at halftime, continuing their dominance in the second half to cement their spot in 6th position on the ladder.

The Bulldogs were the first to score as they went up 4-0 within the opening five minutes. Off the back of two set restarts, Sean O’Sullivan was able to find Jonathan Sua on the wing who scored in the corner.

Manly fought back forcing a dropout and earning a repeat set but were unable to capitalise on good field position.

The Bulldogs continued to build pressure with two strong sets in row. Then with some quick hands, Bulldogs backrower Logan Spinks was able to find Alex Conti back on the inside to give the Bulldogs their second try in the 11th minute. The conversion was successful from O’Sullivan, to make it 10-0.

In the 14th minute the Bulldogs were able to get downfield with O’Sullivan slicing through the middle linking up with Jed Reardon to put him over in the corner. With another successful kick the Bulldogs extended their lead to 16-0.

In the 24th minute O’Sullivan gave local boy Spinks a short ball at the line to score the Bulldogs fourth try. The successful conversion took the score to 22-0.

Four minutes later, another try for the Bulldogs, with a Taye Cochrane try coming off another Osullivan assist. The kick was successful, 28-0.

Towards the end of the half, signs of fatigue became apparent, and mistakes became more frequent for both teams.

Just before the half came to an end, Alex Conti scored after going back and forth with Patrick Young, closing out a dominant half for the Bulldogs. O’Sullivan kicked the easy two points, taking the lead to 34-0.

The second half began with multiple errors from both sides. The Bulldogs found themselves deep in Manly’s territory but were unable to come up with points.

Sua scored the first try of the second half 11 minutes in, as the left edge for the Bulldogs combined for another try in the corner. O’Sullivan kicked the conversion from the sideline, extending the Bulldogs lead to 40-0.

Sua scored his hatrick in the 54th minute after Conti’s cut out pass landed on his chest. O’Sullivan kicked his seventh goal to put his team 46 points ahead.

Ill-discipline continued to hurt Manly’s chances of climbing their way back into the game.

Bulldogs centre Sosaia Alatini attacked down the left side again to score in the 58th minute. 52-0.

The Bulldogs then scored off their first set after points when halfback Conti went in for his own hatrick taking their lead to 58-0.

Manly halfback Braith Alexander showed some crafty work fooling the defenders to create an overlap for Beau Newlands to score in the corner. William Herbert kicked Manly’s first goal of the day bringing the score to 58-6.

Captain Onitoni Large then showed his explosive speed and brilliance, beating multiple defenders down the eastern sideline to score a 40 meter runaway try. Herbert was unsuccessful with the kick bringing the score to 58-10 with six minutes remaining.

A late penalty in the 78th minute for the Bulldogs gave them one last chance to score. Another local boy, Jack Todd crashed over from a few metres out to seal round out a big win for the Bulldogs. Logan Spinks kicked the final goal taking the final score to 64-10.

Next week in NSW Cup, the Sea Eagles take on the Parramatta Eels at the James Hardie Centre of Excellence, Kellyville on Sunday 5th July (6:00pm).