Bulldogs claim top spot on NRL ladder

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have made light work of the St. George Illawarra Dragons, 38-6, at ANZ Stadium in front of a modest crowd of 21,077 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Sam Perrett was awarded first points for the Bulldogs by the video referee as Josh Reynolds linked with his fullback. The sliding defence of the Dragons unable to cover as the Bulldogs jumped to 6-0 after 5 minutes.

The man-monster himself, Tony Williams played outstandingly for the blue and white and he was rewarded as he powered over the Dragons defence with ease. The Bulldogs led 10-0 after as many minutes.

Speedy back, Tim Lafai was key to the Bulldogs attack and his efforts saw him cross the try line twice in the 24th and 33rd minute. His footwork and speed put the Bulldogs on the front foot and saw them take a 22-0 lead into the sheds at the break.

The Bulldogs started the second half much like the first by scoring in the opening minutes. Tim Lafai posted his hat trick crossing for his third try in the 46th minute. The Dragons defence crumbling as the Bulldogs made it 26-0.

Midway through the second half, Greg Eastwood put on some fancy footwork as he glided through the Dragons pack following brilliant work from Josh Morris and Tony Williams.

The final points from the blue and white came as Man of the Match, Josh Reynolds took an intercept pass and bolted 90 metres down field and possibly straight into a NSW Blues jersey.

The Bulldogs looked to hold the Dragons to nil for just the second time in their history, however the duck egg was broken as Brett Morris dived over the line in the 78th minute.

The blue and white army signing strongly as their club climbed to outright leaders of the Telstra Premiership on 14 competition points with a 38-6 defeat of the Dragons.

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (6)
Tries: Brett Morris
Field Goals:
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (1/1)
Penalty Goals:

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (38)
Tries: Sam Perrett, Tony Williams, Timoteo Lafai (3), Greg Eastwood, Josh Reynolds
Field Goals:
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (5/7)
Penalty Goals:

LATE MAIL: Bulldogs - Corey Thompson has been replaced by former Dragon, Chase Stanley on the wing.

LATE MAIL: Dragons - Unchanged and will take the field 1-17

Welcome to ANZ Stadium as we bring you LIVE Mother's Day coverage on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Today sees the St. George Illawarra Dragons host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

1: We are UNDERWAY at ANZ Stadium as the Bulldogs through Chase Stanley kick off

1: Good opening sets from both teams, solid kicks on the end of it and no mistakes after almost 2 minutes.

3: First penalty of the game goes to the Bulldogs, hand on the ball is the call. Michael Ennis took a quick tap and managed to link with Tim Lafai who charged over the half way line.

3: Aidan Tolman dives on a loose ball as the Dragons knocked down a pass. ZERO TACKLE for the Bulldogs as they attack 30 metres out

4: VIDEO REFEREE for the Bulldogs, looking at obstruction as Sam Perrett slipped through the Dragons defence.

5: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Sam Perrett. Kick to come.
Sam Perrett gets the GREEN LIGHTS as the Bulldogs passed across from Josh Reynolds, Jackson went through the line as Gareth Widdop slid across and pushed Gerard Beale wide. Sam Perrett too much power as he bolted over the line.

6: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Trent Hodkinson with the conversion attempt from out wide on the eastern side, 29 from 32 attempts now in 2014.

7: Trent Hodkinson kicks deep on the last tackle, collected by Nathan Green at the back for the Dragons. They attack from their own 10 metre line.

10: VIDEO REFEREE for the Bulldogs, Tony Williams claiming a TRY as Chase Stanley knocked back a Trent Hodkinson cross field kick.

10: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Tony Williams. Kick to come.
Tony Williams gets GREEN LIGHT as he powered over the top of the Dragons defenders as Chase Stanley jumped high to knock back a Hodkinson cross field kick. Williams too strong to be denied at the try line.

12: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson unsuccessful.
Trent Hodkinson fails to convert from the western side, score remains

12: Kick from the Bulldogs allowed to bounce dead by Josh Dugan, 20 metre tap called for the Dragons

13: Beautiful leap from Sam Perrett as he jumped high to take the bomb from Gareth Widdop. Bulldogs start their set 20 metres off their own try line.

14: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Josh Morris makes an unforced error.
Josh Morris makes a meal of the ball at the ruck as he tried to get a pass away from acting half. Scrum for the Dragons on half way

15: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Ben Creagh makes an unforced error.
Ben Creagh charged hard into a questionable pass and unable to take the ball and it's knocked on. Scrum for the Bulldogs 15 metres from their own try line.

17: ZERO TACKLE for the Bulldogs as the Dragons stripped out the ball in the ruck, Dogs with the ball just shy of the half way line.

17: Hodkinson chipped ahead looking for a chaser of the Bulldogs, but it's collected without issue by Nathan Green on the Dragons try line.

18: Interchange made by the Dragons - Dan Hunt has been replaced by Jack Stockwell.

18: Interchange made by Bulldogs - Greg Eastwood has been replaced by Dale Finucane

19: Double knock on the call as the Bulldogs pushed an offload away from Josh Reynolds. Tim Lafai ruled to have got a hand on the ball as it hit the ground. Scrum for the Dragons 10 metres off their own try line.

20: Interchange made by the Dragons - Mike Cooper replaces Trent Merrin

21: Interchange made by the Bulldogs - Sam Kasiano comes on to replace Aidan Tolman

22: Incredible play from the Bulldogs, Kasiano offloaded across to Perrett who linked with Mitch Brown with a floating pass on the eastern side. However, it does come off as the kick on last tackle is taken on the full by Nathan Green in goal, 20 metre tap for the Dragons.

22: Josh Morris dives on a loose ball as the Dragons spill it 10 metres short of the half way line. ZERO TACKLE for them.

23: ZERO TACKLE for the Bulldogs again as their offload is knocked down by the Dragons. The Bulldogs all over the Dragons as they attack 20 metres out

24: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Timoteo Lafai. Kick to come.
Tim Lafai has been rewarded as he stepped back on the inside as the Bulldogs spread from centre field as Sam Kasiano managed to get an offload out the back as he was getting tackled by 4 Dragons. The attack shifted across through Michael Ennis who linked with Lafai

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Trent Hodkinson makes it 2/3 goals this afternoon as he nails the conversion from the eastern side of ANZ Stadium

26: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Josh Jackson makes an unforced error.
Josh Jackson unable to take an offload rushed from Tony Williams. ZERO TACKLE for the Dragons as they have a crack at the defence 20 metres out from the Bulldogs try line.

28: Gareth Widdop gifted Tim Lafai a poor grubber kick on the last tackle. Dragons not challenging the Bulldogs defence as Mitch Rein was the only one to change a chance at the try line.

28: Sam Williams jumped high in goal and gave the Dragons a 20 metre tap as a result.

30: Sam Perrett grounds the rolling kick from Widdop in goal, line drop out conceded as the Dragons earn a repeat set. Bulldogs the top team at the moment as the Dragons will get a chance for the second time to strike at the try line.

30: Penalty to the Dragons, their first of the afternoon. Second effort in the tackle. Dragons attack 20 metres out from the Bulldogs try line.

31: Another penalty to the Dragons, markers not square on the try line. Josh Dugan attempted a quick tap but unable to inside the 10 metre zone. Dragons with a full set now.

32: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Jack Stockwell makes an unforced error.
Jack Stockwell looking for the try line off a short pass from Mitch Rein, but he drops it as he was tackled. Sam Perrett jumps on the ball and the Bulldogs dart out of their red zone.

32: Interchange made by the Bulldogs - Sam Kasiano comes off, Tim Browne comes on

33: VIDEO REFEREE for the Bulldogs, Tim Lafai is the scorer.

33: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Timoteo Lafai. Kick to come.
Tim Lafai gets GREEN LIGHTS and he gets his second of afternoon as Josh Jackson backed himself with a little kick and straightened run. Lafai darted into the hole as he dived on the loose ball. Brilliant broken play by the Bulldogs.

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Trent Hodkinson makes no mistake from out wide on the right side of ANZ Stadium.

35: Trent Hodkison rolls a kick down towards the try line and it's taken by Josh Dugan at the 10 metre line. Bulldogs rolling easily up field in this first half

36: Trent Hodkinson ON REPORT and penalised for bending a leg back in a dangerous position in the tackle of Joel Thompson. Dragons with the penalty.

36: Joel Thompson ran straight at Trent Hodkinson on the next tackle and muscled up with Josh Morris. Fired up is the centre as the Dragons attack from half way

37: Sam Williams stabs a little kick through the Bulldogs defence, Chase Stanley shadows the ball dead and it's a 20 metre tap for the Bulldogs

38: Gerard Beale juggled the kick of Hodkinson at the goal line and managed to hold possession. Dragons stuck down in their red zone

39: Intercept was written all over the Bulldogs as the Dragons spread back to Widdop, luckily the Dragons held onto possession, however Morris was taken over the sideline. Change over for the Bulldogs 10 metres short of half way

40: HALF TIME at ANZ STADIUM sees the Bulldogs rolling right through the Dragons pack as they lead 22-0 at the break.

40: The second half about to kick off as the Bulldogs and Dragons exit the tunnel here at ANZ Stadium

40: Second half is UNDERWAY here at ANZ Stadium as the Dragons kick off and trail 22-0

41: Time off here as Josh Dugan is with the trainer with a possible neck concern

41: Time back on as Dugan plays the ball with concern with his neck remaining. In the next play Jack de Belin struggles to play the ball in the heavy contact, trainer with him at the back of play.

42: First penalty of the second half goes to the Bulldogs as Trent Merrin was caught inside the 10 metres at the ruck. Bulldogs attack from the touch finder 20 metres out

43: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Timoteo Lafai. Kick to come.
Tim Lafai puts on some fancy footwork after taking a short pass from Sam Perrett as the Bulldog shifted across to Josh Reynolds. The Bulldogs attack is brilliant as the Dragons defence crumbled under pressure.

45: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson unsuccessful.
Trent Hodkinson with a difficult attempt from the western sideline of ANZ Stadium hits the uprights and it bounces away

46: Sam Perrett with a brilliant read of the kick off from Josh Dugan, took the kick dead. Penalty on half way for the Bulldogs

47: A messy set by the Bulldogs standards this afternoon, a poor kick from Hodkinson on the last tackle was allowed to bounce. Brett Morris collected the ball and the Dragons start their set 10 metres off their try line.

47: ZERO TACKLE for the Bulldogs as the ball is spilt by the Dragons attackers Bulldogs attack 35 metres out from the Dragons try line

48: Penalty to the Bulldogs, high tackle the call as Ben Creagh caught Sam Perrett high around the face as he fell into the tackle. Bulldogs attack 10 metres out as Reynolds took a quick tap.

49: Penalty on the try line for the Bulldogs, second push down as Mitch Rein dug into the ruck. Bulldogs take the quick tap 10 metres out from the try line.

50: A wayward pass from Josh Reynolds lands at the feet of Mitch Brown and he belts it into Row 10 with the deflection.

51: Interchange by the Dragons - Mike Cooper comes off, Leeson Ah Mau comes on

51: Double interchange by the Bulldogs - Tim Browne and James Graham off, David Klemmer and Aidan Tolman on

52: Dragons knock the Josh Reynolds kick dead and it's a line drop out for the Dragons, repeat set for the Bulldogs.

54: Nathan Green forces the kick dead as Josh Morris rushed through off a Trent Hodkinson grubber kick. Another line drop out for the Dragons, repeat set coming for the blue and white.

55: Gareth Widdop on the fly takes the kick from Trent Hodkinson and the Dragons have possession 10 metres off their own try line.

55: Mitch Brown ruled offside and a penalty awarded to the Dragons. Count is 5-4 in favour of the Bulldogs. Dragons kick for touch and attack on half way

56: Change over for the Bulldogs as the Dragons failed to get to their kick. Bulldogs with possession through Tony Williams on their 10 metre line.

58: Josh Dugan takes a chip kick from Josh Jackson and charges 40 metres down field before being wrapped up by three Bulldogs defenders.

58: Nothing comes of the attack as Josh Reynolds forces the ball free and the Bulldogs have the ball.

61: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Greg Eastwood. Kick to come.
Greg Eastwood has darted and stepped through the Dragons defenders in broken play to score himself as he raced away from a Josh Morris pass who originally took an offload from Tony Williams.

62: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Trent Hodkinson with the easiest conversion attempt from right in front of the posts.

65: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Ben Creagh makes an unforced error.
Ben Creagh unable to handle the ball as Frizell offload to him on the fly. Bulldogs scrum feed just short of the half way line.

66: Double interchange made by the Bulldogs - Aidan Tolman off, Tim Browne on and Michael Ennis off, Sam Kasiano on

67: Penalty to the Dragons, count is 5-all and the Dragons attack 20 metres out

68: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Josh Reynolds. Kick to come.
Josh Reynolds takes an intercept and bolts 90 metres down field to beat Josh Dugan to the line. Bulldogs in again

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Trent Hodkinson with the conversion attempt from wide out on the eastern side nails the goal to extend this big lead

71: Gerard Beale clears the ball over the dead ball line as Trent Hodkinson was racing through. Line drop out again for the Dragons. Sam Kasiano in the lead up almost broke away as Chase Stanley backed up the play

73: Penalty to the Bulldogs, Sam Kasiano has been held off the play. Count is 6-5. Bulldogs attack 10 metres out

73: Forward pass ruled against the Bulldogs, pass from Josh Reynolds as they spread across to the right of the field. Scrum for the Dragons.

74: Gareth Widdop caught with a forward pass as he looked to put Ben Creagh into a hole of the Bulldogs defence. Scrum packs for the blue and white 10 metres short of half way

75: ZERO TACKLE for the Dragons as Mitch Rein takes the loose pass from Sam Kasiano. It's backed up by a penalty for not clearing the ruck. Dragons attack 30 metres out

77: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Brett Morris. Kick to come.
Brett Morris has broken the Dragons duck egg as he jumped on a bouncing kick from Gareth Widdop.

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
Gareth Widdop makes no mistake with the conversion attempt from the western sideline with a good strike

79: Sam Kasiano penalised for holding down in the ruck.

79: Another penalty to the Dragons, they attack 10 metres out looking for their second try of the game

80: FULL TIME at ANZ Stadium as seen the Bulldogs claim spot on the NRL ladder on 14 points as they comfortably defeated the Dragons, 38-6