Bulldogs fend off late
challenge by Eels

Round 10
Canterbury Bulldogs 22 v Parramatta Eels 18
at Telstra Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne

Match Summary:
Canterbury has defeated arch-rivals Parramatta by 22-18 at Telstra Stadium this afternoon in a rough and tumble encounter.

The Bulldogs began the match strongly with Andrew Ryan enhancing his State of Origin chances by throwing a nicely timed cut-out pass to set up the opening try for winger Hazem El Masri.

This set the trend for an open contest with the Eels pressing Canterbury?s line a few times before five-eighth John Morris made up for a rookie error earlier in the game and broke through in the 12th minute to post the visitors first try of the day.

With that the scores were locked at 6-all, but not for long. A minute later Reni Maitua hit a gap close to the Parramatta line after the Bulldogs got a roll on and had the Eels back-pedalling. This put Canterbury ahead 12-6 as they began to flex their muscles up front with a near miss to Matt Utai in the 27th minute, after he was ruled offside chasing a grubber, signalling an ominous warning for the Eels.

Canterbury scored a typical try ten minutes later with Maitua completing a brace, backing up Nate Myles and scoring from the offload.

The teams went to the sheds at half time with the Doggies leading 18-6 and Parramatta had only themselves to blame, with some ordinary handling and poor options in attack leaving them facing their third loss in a row and their seventh for the season.

The break seemed to do wonders for Parramatta though, as they resumed the second half in a more composed state of mind, culminating in a try to flamboyant forward Fuifui Moimoi in the 46th minute from a clever John Morris kick. The hulking Kiwi was one player who could hold his head high after the loss, making some great runs and tackling his heart out.

Two penalty goals to Hazem El Masri for indiscretions in the play the ball by the Eels took the scores to 22-12 and it appeared the Bulldogs would safely hold out Parramatta.

But a bustling try to Nathan Cayless in the 77th minute put the Eels well back in the contest. The try epitomised the effort the forwards put in today, with Cayless coming back onto the field late in the game after suffering medial ligament damage to his knee earlier in the second half.

Eric Grothe then went close to making a break down the sideline in the final minute only to be bundled into touch by swarming Bulldogs defence. This snuffed out any designs Parramatta had on scoring a last ditch try to win the game or at least force extra time with the Bulldogs holding on for a gritty victory.

A terrific sub-plot to the game was the battle in the centres between Timana Tahu and Sonny Bill Williams. Both men gave their all and at separate times barrelled one another over the sideline, with Sonny Bill winning a split points decision.


Scorers:
Canterbury Bulldogs: 22
Tries: Hazem El Masri, Reni Maitua(2)
Goals: Hazem El Masri 5/5
Parramatta Eels: 18
Tries: Nathan Cayless, Fuifui Moimoi, John Morris
Goals: Brett Delaney 3/3

Crowd: 13,159
Half time: Bulldogs 18-6

By the Clock:
Cool and cloudy day here at Telstra, but no sign of rain.

Changes:

Bulldogs - Hazem El Masri takes his place on the wing in no.18 for the Bulldogs at the expense of Namila Davui. Corey Hughes has succumbed to injury, with Tony Grimaldi shifting to hooker and Reni Maitua moving to the lock position. Billy Ngawini comes onto the bench.

Parramatta - as per the program.

And the Eels get us underway in the first half.

3 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs press Parra's line early in the game and spread it wide to the western side of the field where Andrew Ryan gives a sublime cut-out pass to winger Hazem El Masri who beats his man and scores untouched. Hazem converts his own try and the Bulldogs are off to a flyer.
Bulldogs 6-0

8 min: NEWS Recalled five-eighth John Morris drops the ball deep inside Canterbury's territory during Parramatta's first venture down there.

12 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Morris well and truly makes up for his earlier indiscretion, smashing through the defence next to the posts. The Eels have been making solid inroads in the past 5 minutes. Delaney converts and the scores are locked up.
6 all.

16 min: NEWS Some stiff Canterbury defence carries Eric Grothe back into his in-goal area, forcing a drop out. The Doggies look to be building towards something here.

17 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs pressure Parra's line and a good short ball finds Reni Maitua steaming onto it and he score the club's second try of the game. El Masri converts and the home team are in front.
Bulldogs 12-6

22 min: NEWS Good forward contest here with O'Meley and Mason for the Dogs exchanging some tough hits with Moimoi and Cayless for the Eels.

27 min: NEWS Roberts puts in a grubber for a flying Matt Utai to snatch and but the try is denied for being offside. Bulldogs are looking good at the moment though

32 min: NEWS The Eels sqaundering a few chances with the Bulldogs also showing good scrambling defence.

37 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Reni Maitua scores his second for the Dogs with some great lead-up work by Sonny Bill and Nate Myles. El Masri converts again.
Bulldogs 18-6

40 min: NEWS Halftime: Both teams are playing good open footy and there's no way this 12-point lead is enough to win the game for the Bulldogs. But they're playing well and taking their opportunities at the moment. Parra need to show more control if they are to win here and they're certainly in the contest. The try to Maitua late in the half is disappointing but if they score first early in the second stage they'll be right back in the thick of things.

41 min: NEWS And the Bulldogs restart proceedings here at Homebush.

45 min: NEWS Glen Morrison is briefly KO'd by an Andrew Ryan love-tap to the chin. No report but I bet Ryan had his heart in his mouth given he's in calculations for a sky blue jersey.

46 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Moimoi snatches a Morris chip close to the uprights to score for the Eels and they're back in the thick of things. Delaney converts and Parra trail by six.
Bulldogs 18-12

51 min: NEWS Sonny Bill and Timana Tahu are having a great old battle in the centres. It's 1-all after Tahu just put him over the sideline.

55 min: NEWS Cayless (Eels) off with medial ligament damage to his knee.

60 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
Mason is stripped of the ball in a tackle and cops a few knees in the head for his trouble as well. El Masri pots a penalty goal and the lead is pushed to 8.
Bulldogs 20-12

61 min: NEWS Myles (Bulldogs) off the field with a bit of a knock to the head. It's not serious though.

64 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
Again the Bulldogs receive a penalty in good position following a strip in the play the ball. This one appeared to be a bit unlucky for Parra though as Sonny Bill seemed to simply lose the ball. Hazem bangs another over the crossbar.
Bulldogs 22-12

72 min: NEWS Parra were again close to a scoring opportunity after the counter attack from a Roberts intercept. But they fail to get over the stripe and it's looking a bit grim for them.

77 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Despite his knee injury, Cayless makes a huge bust and scores under the posts. Delaney wastes no time in converting and we've got a sensational finish lined up here!
Bulldogs 22-18

80 min: NEWS Fulltime: The Bulldogs have hung on in the final minutes to record a gritty win over the Eels.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Reni Maitua (Bulldogs)
2 - Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs)
1 - Fuifui Moimoi (Eels)
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