Round 18
Bulldogs 22 d. Warriors 18

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

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

Bulldogs win extra-time thriller
Sun July 9, 2006
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

A golden point try to Mark O'Meley has seen the Bulldogs win 22-18 in a thriller at Telstra Stadium against the in-form New Zealand Warriors.

After 80 minutes of tough football the Warriors were looking out on their feet with the Bulldogs desperate to take the points. Three minutes into golden point extra-time and the Bulldogs were on the attack. The referee signalled last tackle with the Bulldogs 30 metres out to the left of the uprights. Grimaldi from dummy half unloaded to Holdsworth who threw a long ball to Ben Roberts as the Warriors line rushed up. Roberts shaped to land the one-pointer before going straight up the middle, stepping past the Warriors fullback only to be snatched 5 metres out before he offloaded a brilliant flick pass for O'Meley to scores under the sticks.

The celebrations told the story as the Bulldogs cemented their spot in the top 4 with their second win in as many weeks.

The New Zealand based side got off to a flyer in the 9th minute after a kick across field found Vatuvei who knocked it down for Mannering to score. Tony Martin converted and the Warriors led 6-0.

Just minutes later they were at it again, this time Rovelli kicked high, Vatuvei came down with the ball before offloading to Koopu who ran away to score adjacent to the uprights. Martin had no trouble with the conversion and the Warriors were out of the blocks quickly with a 12-0 lead.

The Bulldogs were struggling to get any quality possession as the Warriors continued to gain easy metres and in the 17th minute on the last tackle, Nathan Fein threw a great pass to halfback Rovelli who went straight through before passing out wide for Vatuvei to score. Martin was unsuccessful with the kick, Warriors 16-0.

Steve Folkes made the decision at the beginning of the match to keep Willie Mason on the bench and start Sonny Bill Williams in the back row. After witnessing the Warriors walk all over the 'Dogs, Folkes injected Mason with immediate reward as the Bulldogs scored with their first attacking opportunity. Young Ben Roberts made the initial bust on tackle four before the ball was spread wide finding Cameron Phelps. El Masri converted and the Bulldogs fight back began.

Willie Mason and Sonny Bill put their hands up and took control as the Bulldogs turned the tides and began making the easy metres. A Warriors error close to their line assisted the Bulldogs and moments later they were in again through Andrew Ryan who was presented with a brilliant ball from Mason. El Masri converted and the Bulldogs were back in it with 10 minutes to go, down 16-12.

The Bulldogs continued their late surge with brilliant attacking raids and bone-crunching defence however they couldn't land another try before the break. A penalty goal to the Warriors seven minutes out from the break was the last of the opening half scoring as the Warriors went into the break up 18-12.

The second half was set to be a tight encounter with both sides desperate to grab the two competition points. Just two minutes into the second stanza the Warriors looked to have scored only for the video referee to rule a knock on against Tony Martin.

The Bulldogs then took full advantage of some good field possession as they sent the ball wide, finding Tonga who scored after escaping the tackle. El Masri converted from out wide in what turned out to be a crutial kick to level the scores at 18-18.

Both sides had chances to hit the lead however some desperate defence and poor last tackle options prevented any glory.

After a long period of hard-fought rugby league the Bulldogs took the first field-goal attempt in the 73rd minute only to be denied by the charge-down king, Steve Price. Two minutes later the Bulldogs number 6 was at it again, this time missing from long range.

The Warriors were fading as they continued to fall off tackles as the Bulldogs made easy metres up the middle. A golden opportunity was thrown out the door with minutes on the clock as the Warriors wrapped the 'Dogs up on the last tackle.

In the 80th minute both sides were struggling and one last attempt at fiel-goal before extra time called saw Daniel Holdsworth fail once more, hitting the attempt out to the right of the posts.

Keep on eye on the Bulldogs Official Website for images from the match, Player and Team Stats and a Round 18 Wallpaper.

Report source: www.bulldogs.com.au

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