Agonising Cup defeat for Bulldogs

The Bulldogs faced their biggest game of the season, a tough Cup semi final against a Southport team they have never beaten.

Following last seasons ‘epic’ 3-0 away loss and a heavy home defeat, the last time out game was a 12-12 home draw in January.

The Bulldogs lined up with a strong team, missing only Henry, Sam and Kayden.

Despite conceding two penalties in the opening minute, it was the Bulldogs who scored first. A solid scrum, fluent passing and a piercing run to the line from Isaac saw a try under the posts. Noah added the extras (0-7).

With 10 minutes of the half left, a smart chip from Isaac saw the ball grounded in goal. From the drop out the Bulldogs worked the ball well before Sammy squeezed in at the corner to extend the lead. Noah could not convert the difficult kick (0-12).

In the final minute the Bulldogs were pinned on their own line with a series of penalties given against them including one for an opposition knock on. The Bulldogs weathered the storm to maintain their lead going into half time.

HT: 0-12

The Bulldogs started brightly with a kick putting the opponents under pressure and forcing a five metre scrum. Despite more pressure the Bulldogs could not convert.

With the home team camped in their own 22, a rare penalty was converted by Ethan to extend the lead with 20 minutes left (0-15).

With another penalty coming from Southport knock on and a player in the bin the home team finally got on the scoreboard with 10 minutes left. The try was converted (7-15).

From the kick off, Southport fumbled which then led to them being offside. Ethan stepped up and converted the penalty (7-18).

With the Bulldogs putting themselves under pressure more penalties led to Southport scoring under the posts with the kick being converted to get within a score (14-18).

With a combination of quite extraordinary decisions and the Bulldogs losing their cool, the home team went ahead for the first time in the match with a converted try with two minutes remaining (21-18).

Despite dominating the game, the Bulldogs went out of the Cup in a truly frustrating game with the referee awarding 21 penalties against them.

FT: 21-18