Round 8
Bulldogs 30 d. Newcastle Knights 16

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Bulldogs topple Knights
Mon May 7, 2007
The Bulldogs have returned to the winners circle defeating the Newcastle 30-16 after at one stage leading 24-0 early into the second half.

It was one of those performances by the Bulldogs where they did enough to lead by 24 and as with their modern tradition clocked off and allowed the Knights to score three soft tries.

Reni Maitua scored the Bulldogs opening try in the 5th minute when Brent Sherwin went into dummy half and found a hole for Maitua on the line. Hazem El Masri converted for the Bulldogs to lead 6-0.

The Bulldogs received a stroke of good fortune when Kade Snowden was sent to the sin bin in the 28th minute when he held Matt Utai down in the tackle in an offence that only warranted a penalty. The Bulldogs scored in the next set of six with Sherwin again ducking into dummy half and picked up Luke Patten close to the line who crossed over. El Masri added the extras for the Bulldogs to lead 12-0, but the Bulldogs lacked the killer instinct to crush and punish the Knights for being a man down.

Sonny Bill Williams finally delivered some bit of magic when a great offload put Darryl Millard in the clear who threw the speculator back on the inside with El Masri backing up to score the try. El Masri converted his own try to put the Bulldogs 18 clear.

Utai in his return to the top grade capped off a fine comeback with a try in the 49th minute when he crossed over in the corner. El Masri landed a superb conversion to put the Bulldogs up 24-0.

Newcastle came back into the match as the Bulldogs dropped their intensity with Danny Buderus scoring in the 53rd minute and James McManus crossed five minutes later to bring back memories of the Bulldogs second half collapse against the Knights in the opening round this year.

Willie Mason put the game beyond doubt in the 68th minute when he ran on an inside ball from Sherwin and put Patten under the posts to score. El Masri made it five goals from as many attempts to push the Bulldogs back into the comfort zone with the two points safely in the bag.

Cory Paterson crossed for a try in the last two minutes to make the score more respectable and Kurt Gidley's conversion made the final score 30-16 the Bulldogs way.

It was a solid performance by the Bulldogs without the killer instinct and in front of a poor crowd frustrated by the Bulldogs inconsistent and unreliable form this season.

Patten, Mason and Sherwin were the Bulldogs best, but for them to be contenders they need to play for the full 80 minutes and produce performances on a week-to-week basis and consistently.

Newcastle were dealt a blow before the match losing star halfback Jarrod Mullen and to their credit nearly came back in the second half. The Knights were knocked about by the City-Country farce and also playing in a tough Monday night match last week.




Gidley chalks up ton
Wed May 2, 2007
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

Knights dynamo, Kurt Gidley will reach a personal milestone against the Bulldogs this weekend, making his 100th appearance for Newcastle.

Gidley has been outstanding this season at fullback, earning selection for New South Wales Country.

"To play 100 games for the Knights in my home town means a lot to me," said Gidley.

"There's a group of us who came through the junior grades together and we're all reaching the milestone at the same time.

"We're all good mates and have been through a lot together so it's great to be in the same company as Adam Woolnough, Josh Perry and Clint Newton."

Newcastle coach Brian Smith said, "He's become a leader by example and as a result of his performances this year he's a focal point in our team and a guiding light for other players in terms of how much work he gets through.

"I know how passionate he is about his club and he's knocked back opportunities to leave here in the past so he can make such achievements, I'm sure it will mean a lot to him."

Gidley played his junior football with Newcastle club, Wests and made his first grade debut against St George Illawarra in Round 24, 2001 alongside brother Matthew.

One of the games fittest players, Gidley's representative honours so far include Country Origin 2004, 2006 and 2007 and Prime Ministers XIII, 2006.

He's the latest in a current crop of local juniors who all debuted around the same time and now reaching their 100 game milestones. Fellow Country representative, Clint Newton is set to join the 100 club against the Warriors at EnergyAustralia Stadium in round 9.

Meanwhile, Knights Coach, Brian Smith has named his side to play the Bulldogs this Sunday at Telstra Stadium with Daniel Abraham back in the line up, after a week on the sideline with an ankle injury.

The Knights three Country representatives, Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley and Clint Newton are due to rejoin the side on Friday.

News sent by: www.newcastleknights.com.au

Tue May 1, 2007
• Folkes makes four changes to Bulldogs team
  

Advanced Search