The Late Mail: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
116 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Fulltime score: Round 11 MELBOURNE STORM 16 v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 26
Match summary: The Canterbury Bulldogs have played 'smart football' tonight in downing the Melbourne Storm by 26-16 at Olympic Park this evening.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring and raced away to a 20-6 lead. However, the Storm struck back in the 40th minute and at half time, the Bulldogs held a handy eight point lead.
But with half back Brett Sherwin dictating play, the visitors went further ahead in the second half to secure victory before the Storm crossed for a late try.
Scorers: MELBOURNE STORM 16 Tries: Kearns, Kidwell, Graham Goals: Orford 2/3 CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 26 Tries: Patten, El Masri, Utai, Lolesi Goals: El Masri 4/4 con, 1/1 pen
Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Tony Archer Half time: Bulldogs 20-12
Live commentary: Greasy conditions in Melbourne tonight
0 min: The game is underway
1st min: TRY - BULLDOGS The Bulldogs mean business this evening. Lolesi took two defenders as he spins the ball out to a flying Utai who gets a great inside ball for Patten to score under the posts. El Masri converts. Bulldogs 6-0
2nd min: NEWS - Utai (Bulldogs) down in back play following a hard tackle in the try scoring movement. He's playing on in the match at this stage
5th min: TRY - BULLDOGS Once again the visitors are over spreading the Storm defenders. Solid attack led to El Masri crossing the line. He converts. Bulldogs 12-0
10th min: PENALTY GOAL - BULLDOGS El Masri adds another 2 points to the scoreboard after Kearns and Hoffman were penalised for a dangerous tackle. Bulldogs 14-0
11th min: NEWS - 80% for the Bulldogs so far in the match
17th min: NEWS - The Storm starting to enjoy a bit more desperately needed possession
18th min: TRY - STORM Back to back sets coupled with quick plays and close to the line Kearns is unstoppable. Orford from right in front, converts. Bulldogs 14-6
21st min: NEWS - A line dropout to the Storm has the home side hot on attack and looking dangerous. A high kick in goal by Orford is confidently taken on the full by El Masri
23rd min: NEWS - Johnson (Storm) out to it after copping a knock in the face. Play was stopped immediately. He managed to walk with aid from the field. Bulldogs hold the lead, 14-6
26th min: TRY - BULLDOGS Melbourne hot on attack have all options snuffed out as Hill throws a long ball on the last only to be intercepted by Utai who runs 90 metres to score. El Masri from out in front, converts. Bulldogs 20-6
30th min: NO TRY - STORM The Storm looked to have scored but ref Archer quickly pulled up the last pass as forward denying a try
33rd min: Kaufusi (Storm) leaving the field after a heavy knock in a tackle to his leg
36th min: NO TRY - BULLDOGS Some fancy passing by the visitors close to the line almost had them in for their 4th try. Utai just into touch in the corner. Bulldogs 20-6
40th min: TRY - STORM A piggyback ride up the field following a silly penalty by the Bulldogs set up a determined set by the Storm resulting in a line dropout. Lazy tackling by the Bulldogs just before the break allows Kidwell over for the try. Orford converts. Bulldogs 20-12
HALFTIME: 20-12 to the Bulldogs in an intriguing match
Second half underway..
41st min: TRY - BULLDOGS A mistake by Chan on the kick off and the Storm are made to pay. Lolesi bursts through the defence to score. El Masri converts from wide out after time off is called. Bulldogs 26-12
49th min: NEWS - The game starting to open up with both sides spreading the ball and making the metres but unable to finish it off with points
55th min: NEWS - The Bulldogs putting in some heavy tackles and halting the Storm attack in their tracks
63rd min: NEWS - Melbourne seem to be their own worst enemies on attack making unforced errors on a regular basis. The Bulldogs quite content to go through their sets with patience. The score remains 26-12
68th min: NEWS - Utai (Bulldogs) carrying on in a tackle is penalised and a bit of a tussle afterwards results in a penatly to the home side with no further action needed by the officials
74th min: NEWS - Cronk (Storm) on report for lifting in the tackle
80th min: TRY - Graham Another good kick by Orford to the in goal and Graham scores a try on debut. Orford misses the conversion from the sideline
FULLTIME: The Bulldogs played very smart football tonight and deserved the win, defeating the Storm by 26-16
----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Sherwin (Bulldogs) 2 - T Grimaldi (Bulldogs) 1 - A Brideson (Bulldogs) -----------------------------------------