NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 4
3 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
The Canterbury Bulldogs have put in a professional performance to outclass the North Queensland Cowboys 32-18 in Townsville tonight.
In a highly entertaining match, both sides threw the ball around with the Cowboys being the more enterprising in first half, leading early before the Bulldogs started to take command. But following a runaway try to fullback Matt Bowen and a sensational four-pointer from Matt Sing, the Cowboys went the break leading 16-12.
The North Queenslanders started the second half in bright fashion before Hazem El Masri, against the run of play, scored out wide for the Bulldogs. This sparked the visitors in action with Steve Price and Willie Mason making in-roads for the Bulldogs.
Tries to Jamaal Lolesi and Andrew Ryan put the match beyond doubt while El Masri's boot put his team further ahead, kicking his 400th career goal.
Dairy Farmers Stadium Referee: Shayne Hayne Video Referee: Chris Ward Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy, Matt Cecchin
Scorers: COWBOYS 18 Tries: Sing 2, Bowen Goals: Hannay 3/6 defeated by BULLDOGS 32 Tries: Grimaldi, Harris, El Masri, Ryan, Lolesi Goals: El Masri 6/8
By the clock: 0 min: Tremendous afternoon in Townsville... let's roll! Huge crowd in FNQ.... kickoff!
7 min: NEWS - Josh Hannay (Cowboys) misses penalty goal from 35m and almost in front.
10 min: NEWS - The Cowboys are playing all over the Bulldogs and are earning repeat sets of six at the line.
12 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matt Sing scores in the corner following fast hands across the backline. Conversion Hannay hits the uprights and is waved away. Cowboys 4-0
14 min: NEWS - Paul Rauhihi (Cowboys) charges at the line and comes close but unable to get it down. Bulldogs back in possession makes a huge bust in reply.
Possession favouring Cowboys 60%.
16 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Tony Grimaldi scores out wide following a huge bust from Steve Price up the middle of the park. Conversion Hazem El Masri is spot on. Bulldogs 6-4
18 min: NEWS - From the re-start, Hannay kicks out on the full, over the dead ball line.
23 min: PENALTY GOAL - Bulldogs 12m in from touch, El Masri makes no mistake. Bulldogs 8-4
Possession now favouring Cowboys 51%.
31 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Ben Harris scores 10m in from touch following a Corey Hughes grubber and a Braith Anasta bomb. Fairly easy conversion is missed by El Masri. Bulldogs 12-4
34 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matt Bowen fields a high kick and then runs 85m to score a sizzling try under posts. Conversion Hannay. Bulldogs 12-10
38 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Simple angle for Hannay. Follows an incorrect play-the-ball against Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs). 12-all
40 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matt Sing gets a double and a sensational team try right on half time. Follows a kick on half way which is re-gathered by David Myles, the ball eventually finding Sing who scores out wide. Conversion Hannay is hooked away. Cowboys 16-12
HALF TIME: Great come back from the Cowboys who looked good early but then appeared to be falling in a heap against a professional Bulldogs outfit. Too close to call and this match is there to be won and lost.
Half time stats: Possession: Cowboys 56% Tackles: 104-all Mistackles: Bulldogs 14-6 Hitups: Cowboys 74-58 Completions: Cowboys 15/18; Bulldogs 12/16 Line breaks: Cowboys 3-2 Off loads: Cowboys 9-3 Errors 4-all Penalties: Cowboys 5-2 Score: Cowboys 16-12
Second half underway...
43 min: NEWS - Cowboys start the second half on the front foot following another big run from Matt Bowen. Two minutes later Cowboys winger Matt Sing catches a kick, makes a bust, and runs 50m before being pulled down.
46 min: TRY - Bulldogs. El Masri scores out wide against the run of play. El Masri conversion misses. 16-all
50 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Hannay from right in front. Follows head high with Price catching Chris Sheppard's chin. Cowboys 18-16
56 min: NEWS - big play from Matt Sing, stealing the ball from Willie Tonga over the try line and preventing a Bulldogs try.
58 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Andrew Ryan chips forward and scores. Follows sustained pressure at the Cowboys' line. Conversion El Masri 15m in from touch is a good one. Bulldogs 22-18
NEWS - Chris Sheppard (Cowboys) limps off the field and won't be back.
65 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Lolesi scores a try from nothing, dancing through some ordinary defence. Conversion El Masri 15m in from touch is OK. Bulldogs 28-18
68 min: PENALTY GOAL - Bulldogs. El Masri makes no mistake. Follows professional foul against Cowboys after Willie Mason (Bulldogs) makes a big bust up the middle of the ruck. Bulldogs 30-18
70 min: NEWS - Bulldogs now enjoying 56% possession.
73 min: PENALTY GOAL - Bulldogs. El Masri from 32m out and almost in front. Follows penalty against Cowboys for stripping the ball. NEWS - El Masri's 400th career goal (88% success rate)
FULL TIME: The Bulldogs have defeated the Cowboys 32-18 in a highly entertaining match.
Full time stats: Possession: Bulldogs 54% Tackles: Cowboys 232-195 Mistackles: Cowboys 30-25 Hitups: Bulldogs 143-133 Completions: Cowboys 26/32; Bulldogs 25/33 Line breaks: Bulldogs 7-6 Off loads: Bulldogs 16-15 Errors Bulldogs 10-7 Penalties: Cowboys 7-5 Score: Bulldogs 32-18
----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Price (Bulldogs) 2 - P Rauhihi (Cowboys) 1 - M O'Meley (Bulldogs) -----------------------------------------