Round 10
Bulldogs 22 d. Eels 18

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Bulldogs hold out Parramatta
Mon May 15, 2006
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

The Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs have survived a late charge from the Parramatta Eels to record their third straight win with a gritty 22-18 victory at Telstra Stadium this afternoon.

The Bulldogs were forced to defend a slim four-point lead with just minutes remaining after Parramatta forward Nathan Cayless got the visitors back on track with a try in the 77th minute to ensure a thrilling finish. However the Bulldogs were good enough to hold them out and take the cake.

The match started with a few changes to the blue and whites with winger Hazem El Masri passed fit to play on the wing after earlier in the week he was ruled out of the City-Country clash with a hamstring complaint. New recruit Billy Ngawini made his debut off the bench in the place of injured hooker Corey Hughes.

The inclusion of El Masri paid dividends almost immediately when he crossed the line after just three minutes of play courtesy of a brilliant Andrew Ryan cut-out pass.
Hazem converted his own try and the 'Dogs were out to an early 6-0 lead.

With the media speculating during the week over the unity within the Parramatta club it was almost certain that the Eels were out to prove a point and after some early errors they eventually showed their hand in the 12th minute via a solid bust from five-eighth John Morris who scored adjacent to the uprights.
Brett Delaney converted the try and the scores were all locked-up at 6-6.

After two hard fought wins against the Warriors and the Roosters the Bulldogs were searching for their first three-match winning streak in 2006 and when Reni Maitua found himself crashing over after a good short ball close to the line the Bulldogs were out in front and full of confidence.

The remainder of the opening half contained opportunities for both sides but both failed at the final hurdle. Matt Utai was ruled to be offside by the video referee in the 27th minute after a brilliant Ben Roberts grubber found the flying winger. Not long after Parramatta were in with a chance at leveling the scores only for Fuifui Moimoi to cough the ball up over the line.

With the scoreboard reading 12-6 in favour of the home side with just minutes remaining, what happened next turned out to be a major factor in the Bulldogs grabbing victory. Reni Maitua scored a heart-breaking try in the 37th minute after some great lead-up work by Sonny Bill Williams and Nate Myles.

The second half was nothing to write home about from a Bulldog perspective after failing to post a four-pointer. Penalty goals in the 60th and 64th minute was what got the Bulldogs home after Parramatta put on two second half tries to keep the blue and white striped Bulldogs on their toes.

The battle up front between Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason for the 'Dogs and Fuifui Moimoi and Nathan Cayless for the Eels was damaging at times with some brutal charges and heavy contact. Sonny Bill Williams and Timana Tahu were involved in some awesome contests out in the centres while Reni Maitua was very impressive at lock.

The Bulldogs now sit on fourteen competition points, just two points shy of the competition lead.

Report source: www.bulldogs.com.au

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