Round 25
Sea Eagles 21 d. Bulldogs 20

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

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

Late Field Goal sinks Bulldogs
Fri August 25, 2006
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

A depleted Bulldogs pack have been narrowly defeated 21-20 at the hands of the third placed Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval tonight.

For the first time in season 2006 the Bulldogs have lost back-to-back matches after going down 30-0 to the Broncos last Friday night. Missing the likes of Roy Asotasi, Willie Tonga, Tony Grimaldi and Willie Mason certainly didn't help the 'Dogs cause tonight but to their credit they stuck with Manly right until the final moments of the contest.

With 15 minutes remaining a controversial video referee decision cost the Bulldogs the lead as the clock ticked away. As the scoreboard read 20-20 with just minutes remaining it was Matt Orford who stepped up to the plate as he landed the one-pointer, all but securing a top four finish for his side.

The home side started off brilliantly with two converted tries after just seven minutes of play. Orford opened the scoring with his own converted try before Michael Robertson out-jumped Emelio to score in the corner. Orford added the extras from the sideline and Manly were looking red hot.

It took the Bulldogs just under 15 minutes to get themselves started after a brilliant Luke Patten bust. The 'Dogs then received a penalty before Nate Myles crashed over to score. El Masri converted and the Bulldogs trailed 12-6.

For the next ten minutes both sides had their chances but it was the Bulldogs who took advantage as they crossed over to level the scores via captain Andrew Ryan. The skipper found himself on the end of a long ball from dummy half before crashing over to score. Hazem slotted the extras and the scores were level with 15 minutes remaining until the break.

A Sherwin 40/20 with ten minutes remaining had the 'Dogs in the front seat however Matt Utai spilt the pill as a golden opportunity to hit the front was wasted.

Five minutes later Matt Orford slotted a penalty goal after the Bulldogs were penalised for slowing down the play-the-ball.

Leading 14-12 with just minutes remaining the home side went on the attack once more. Holdsworth was penalised for a high shot as Manly went deeper into the blue-and-whites territory before Shayne Dunley burst straight through the Bulldogs defence to extend the home sides lead to six despite a tough call from the video referee. Orford failed to add the all important conversion however the Sea Eagles went into the break up 18-12.

Both sides returned to the field as the heavens opened up at Brookvale. The rain didn't stop the Sea Eagles as they applied the pressure early with an attacking kick only to be called back for offside.

The tides then turned as the Bulldogs got a sniff down the other end and with Matt Orford down injured, the Bulldogs found a gap in the defensive line as Emelio strolled over the line to score. El Masri converted and just three minutes into the second half and the Bulldogs had levelled the scores once more.

The two sides then battled it out as the rain hammered down and the errors began to flow. A Manly 40/20 went to waste as they lost the ball on the second tackle, letting the Bulldogs off the hook with 20 minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs began to get a roll on and appeared to have hit the lead through Andrew Ryan however a controversial video referee decision denied the blue-and-whites. Minutes later the Bulldogs were penalised for being offside as Matt Orford stepped up to take the penalty goal. He was successful and Manly took a 20-18 lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

With a kicker like Hazem El Masri the Bulldogs then utilised his ability just four minutes later as the NRL's leading point scorer got the 'Dogs back on level terms via a penalty goal.

With the scores locked at 20-20 the Bulldogs lost the ball inside their own half as Manly went on the hunt for the all important field goal with five minutes remaining however opted for the try only for the ball to go dead.

With just over two minutes remaining Matt Orford showed his value with a winning field goal in front of 20,000 fans at Brookvale to further cement their place in the top four with just one match remaining against league-leaders the Melbourne Storm.

Report source: www.bulldogs.com.au

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