Winning streak comes to an end for depleted Bulldogs

The Bulldogs returned home for their fifth game of the season, against visitors Southport.

Seeking to avenge the now infamous 3-0 Lancs Cup loss in January, the Bulldogs lined without many regulars against a big physical team in the autumn sunshine.

Southport showed their strength in the opening scrum, winning the ball against the head.

The Bulldogs struggled to find any fluency with ball in hand in the first few minutes with mistakes aplenty.

With 9 minutes of the game gone, the Bulldogs pressed the self destruct button when a loose pass was collected by Southport to stroll in for an easy try which was converted.

With 17 minutes of the half gone, the Bulldogs hit back. A smart blindside run from Will, gave the field position for Sammy to dive over from close range. Noah narrowly missed the difficult kick.

Southport hit straight back with poor Bulldogs defence near to their own line from the kick off, allowing another straightforward converted try.

With the Bulldogs enjoying their best period of the half following a strong run from Kayden, a trio of consecutive penalties and an excellent mazy run from Leo it was only the visitors impressive defence that kept them out until half time.

HT: 5-14

The Bulldogs started the second half down to the bare bones with only fifteen fit players leading to uncontested scrums.

Southport extended their lead with a full length of the field try following the Bulldogs once again turning the ball over. The difficult conversion was missed.

The Bulldogs came back into the game and established good field position but were let down by unforced handling errors.

With an injury to Will, the Bulldogs continued for the last quarter with fourteen players.

With 8 minutes left, Southport broke free to score under the posts for a converted try.

With the clock ticking down, a smart wide kick was collected by the Southport winger for another try. The difficult kick was missed.

With Daniel leaving the field though injury the Bulldogs were depleted further.

With the final play, Southport broke free and scored from a scrum for a try under posts which was converted.

FT: 5-38