Bulldogs book NSW Cup Grand Final berth

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have joined Windsor as 2010 NSW Cup Grand Finalists after a tense 32-24 win over the Wests Magpies today at Leichhardt.

The sides exchanged early tries with Yileen Gordon crossing just two minutes in for Canterbury, while Gus Aiga's converted try put the Magpies in front 6-4 early. The Bulldogs grinded it out and defended well before pulling away with two swift tries to Rhys Jack and Trent Cutler before halftime, and the 'Dogs held an eight-point advantage going into the break.

The Magpies weren't going to lie down - they responded on the other side of halftime with two fantastic tries to resume the lead 18-16 and the Bulldogs were looking tired. However poor ball control and ill-discipline cost the Magpies, and the Bulldogs were able to return to the lead themselves with Shane Neumann scoring a double before Daniel Harrison put the result beyond reasonable doubt with fifteen minutes remaining, Canterbury's 32-18 lead unassailable in the end, only a late Magpies consolation try was added in the closing minutes and the Bulldogs got home 32-24.

The victory sees the Magpies bow out, while the Canterbury Bulldogs will face the Windsor Wolves at midday next Sunday at ANZ Stadium. The match is a curtain-raiser for the Toyota Cup (Warriors v Rabbitohs) and Telstra Premiership (Dragons v Roosters) Grand Finals. All three grades will be reported and updated LIVE here on www.leagueunlimited.com

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 32 (Shane Neumann 2, Daniel Harrison, Yileen Gordon, Trent Cutler, Rhys Jack tries; Josh Reynolds 4/6 goals) def Western Suburbs Magpies 24 (Gus Aiga, George Kepa, Kurt Kara, Alex Ranieri tries; Chris Corby 3/3, Kieran Turner 1/1 goals)
Halftime: Bulldogs 14-6


In Port Moresby, the Australian Prime Ministers XIII battled out a tough 30-18 win over Papua New Guinea, with Eels' second-rower earning Man of the Match honours.