Bulldogs
outclass Eels

Fulltime score: Round 8 BULLDOGS 30 v EELS 16

Match summary: The Canterbury Bulldogs have scored five tries to two and run out convincing 30-16 victors over the Parramatta Eels at Telstra Stadium tonight.

The Bulldogs enjoyed the majority of possession and scored first when winger Hazem El Masri crossed for the first of his three tries in the 18th minute.

The Eels grafted out some territory and were rewarded when forward Dean Widders put on a stepping run to score in the 33rd minute. At that point Parramatta held a 6-4 lead.

But El Masri weaved his own magic, scoring his second try after some lead up work from full back Luke Patten and forward Andrew Ryan.

At half time, the Bulldogs held a 10-6 lead.

Shortly after the break, the Eels struck back when winger Eric Grothe flew onto a pass from Widders, following some great lead up work from John Morris and Adam Peek. Still with plenty of work to do, Grothe had to withstand a barging covering tackle from Matt Utai.

But the pace of the match became too much for the Parramatta side with the Bulldogs scoring three converted tries in 15 minutes, giving the NRL champions an unbeatable 28-12 lead.

A penalty goal to El Masri in the 74th minute capped on a big evening for the winger who posted a personal tally of 22 points.

But El Masri later found himself on report for a kicking incident when the Eels scored again just before full time.

Scorers: BULLDOGS 30 Tries: El Masri 3, Anasta, Maitua Goals: El Masri 5/6 EELS 16 Tries: Widders, Grothe, Burt Goals: Burt 2/3

Telstra Stadium Referee: Russell Smith

Live commentary: 0 min: Fine weather in Sydney tonight. The first half is underway...

10 min: NEWS - Bulldogs come close to scoring but are held out. Currently its all going the way of the Bulldogs who are enjoying over 80% possession.

18 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Hazem El Masri scores out wide, getting the nod from the video ref. Conversion from El Masri is unsuccessful. Bulldogs 4-0

33 min: TRY - Eels. Dean Widders puts on the stepping run and crashes over. Conversion Luke Burt successful Eels 6-4

39 min: TRY - Bulldogs. El Masri, stepping and weaving scores out wide after lead up work from Luke Patten and Andrew Ryan. Conversion El Masri. Bulldogs 10-6

HALF TIME: Bulldogs 10-6

42 min: TRY - Eels. Eric Grothe scores. Conversion Burt. Eels 12-10

47 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Braith Anasta leaps high to a kick and scores, the Bulldogs strike back with a converted try. Bulldogs 16-12

52 min: TRY - Bulldogs. El Masri gets a hat trick, scoring under the posts. Again, resulting from a high kick. Conversion OK. Bulldogs 22-12

62 min: TRY - Bulldogs. Reni Maitua scores. Bulldogs well in charge as the Eels are struggling with the pace of the match. Conversion El Masri. Bulldogs 28-12

70 min: Still 28-12 to the Bulldogs. The Eels under the hammer with a huge tackle count. The Bulldogs enjoying over 60% possession.

74 min: PENALTY GOAL - Bulldogs. El Masri puts the Bulldogs further ahead. Bulldogs 30-12

78 min: TRY - Eels. Luke Burt scores in the corner, just out-pacing a diving tackle from Luke Patten. Conversion unsuccessful. Bulldogs 30-16

FULL TIME: Bulldogs 30 defeat Eels 16.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - R Asotasi (Bulldogs) 2 - H El Masri (Bulldogs) 1 - A Ryan (Bulldogs) -----------------------------------------