Bulldogs take points over fast-finishing
Sharks

Round 11
Canterbury Bulldogs 32 v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 24
at Telstra Stadium
Referees: Tony Archer

Match Summary:
Canterbury have held out a late surge by Cronulla to score a 32-24 victory at Telstra Stadium this afternoon.

With several players missing through NSW rep duties, the Bulldogs took a good early lead with tries to winger Matt Utai (16th minute) and five-eighth Daniel Holdsworth (20th minute) to set up a 12 point lead.

The Sharks hit back ten minutes later through centre Phil Bailey but with El Masri?s penalty goal just before half time, Canterbury held a solid 8-point lead at the break.

The game resumed with the Doggies gaining the upper hand early through El Masri in the 47th minute after Brent Sherwin kicked across field for their pet play. Utai scored his second three minutes later when Willie Tonga found some space and slipped a good ball. With a penalty goal to El Masri five minutes later the Bulldogs were looking well in command at 26-6.

But everything changed with just over 20 minutes remaining. Sonny Bill Williams incited a fight with Phil Bailey in the 58th minute and both players found themselves in the sin bin. This put Cronulla on the attack immediately, almost scoring through Covell. Shortly afterwards Holdsworth also found himself in the bin and Canterbury were behind the eight-ball all of a sudden.

Cronulla took advantage with tries to Luke Covell (66th), Matt Hilder (68th), Greg Bird (71st) and David Simmons (74th) powering them back into the game and if not for a poor attempted conversion from Covell the scores could have been level.

A try to Willie Tonga in the final minute secured the game for Canterbury after Holdsworth had been denied by the video ref just prior.

It was a disappointing end for the Sharks who had their chances to win the match, breaking a four-game winning streak and were making headway up the competition ladder after a poor start to the season. They face the Warriors at home next week in what should be an anticipated showdown given the Auckland-based club?s performance against the Tigers.

For the Bulldogs, coach Steve Folkes will more than likely be happy with the 2 points but very disappointed by the second half performance particularly their lack of discipline in relinquishing a 20-point lead. They were missing four players through State of Origin duties but that?s no excuse and they?ll need a more focussed effort against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next week.


Scorers:
Canterbury Bulldogs: 32
Tries: Hazem El Masri, Willie Tonga, Matthew Utai(2), Daniel Holdsworth
Goals: Hazem El Masri 6/8
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 24
Tries: Phil Bailey, Greg Bird, Luke Covell, Matt Hilder, David Simmons
Goals: Luke Covell 2/5

By the Clock:
Cool but sunny day here at Telstra Stadium.

Changes:
Sharks - Brett Kimmorley is in, he will play halfback and captain the side. Greg Bird moves to the second row with Cameron Ciraldo to start from the bench. Richard Villasanti is in the seconds.

Bulldogs - as per the program and Tony Grimaldi will captain the side in the absence of Andrew Ryan.

And the Bulldogs get us underway in the first half!

5 min: NEWS It's a good open contest at the moment with both sides creating opportunities but not yet able to convert.

7 min: NEWS Sharks enjoying the early run of possession after the Dogs give away three silly penalties.

13 min: NEWS Sonny Bill looking dangerous on the fringes of the ruck, but the Sharks have been scrambling well with both teams just feeling each other out at the moment.

15 min: NEWS Both sides finding a fair bit of room out side, with Covell making a 40m burst down the western flank.

16 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Kiwi winger Matt Utai breaks through for the first try after a series of long passes finds him unmarked on the wing. El Masri fails to add the extras and the Bulldogs take the lead.
Bulldogs 4-0

20 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Dogs five-eighth Holdsworth takes on the Sharks line from 30m out and beats three defenders to score under the posts. El Masri converts and the Doggies are looking good.
Bulldogs 10-0

23 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri adds another two points with a penalty goal as the home side extends their lead.
Bulldogs 12-0

27 min: NEWS The Dogs grass a good scoring opportunity, but this kid Hickey is of an enormous stature.

30 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Sharks centre Phil Bailey dummies and goes himself at acting half to get Cronulla on the board. Covell converts and the Sharkies are back in the think of things.
Bulldogs 12-6

36 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri lands another goal after Paul Gallen belted Brent Sherwin following a clearing kick and gave away a penalty. The Dogs have a handy 8-point lead.
Bulldogs 14-6

40 min: NEWS Halftime: The Bulldogs hold a solid lead over the Sharks with both teams still well and truly in the game. The Dogs are playing well and Sherwin is controlling things better for them. Cronulla look a little more disorganised but are playing well from broken play up the middle of the field. It really is anyone's game though.

And the Sharks get us underway in the second half!

44 min: NEWS A bit of a stink breaks out between Morrin (Dogs) and Bailey (Sharks) with Cronulla getting the penalty. Neither player did their boxing aspirtations any good.

47 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Sherwin gets the fires burning for the Dogs in the second half with an old favourite kick over to El Masri on the wing, who scores his 121st try in first grade. El Masri misses again, and the lead blows out to 12.
Bulldogs 18-6

50 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
A good backline movement sees Tonga slip a great pass to Utai who crosses for his second of the day. El Masri converts and the Dogs are very much in command.
Bulldogs 24-6

55 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
The Dogs push further ahead with another penalty to El Masri and the lead is now out to 20. You'd think that would be enough top secure victory at this stage.
Bulldogs 26-6

58 min: NEWS Sonny Bill locks horns with Bailey and both players find themselves in the bin. Sonny Bill was the aggressor in this case but Bailey doesn't seem able to avoid trouble today. Cronulla get the penalty.

59 min: NEWS Covell goes close to scoring for the Sharks as they appear to take the upperhand here. The video ref denies it and there's no change to the score.

65 min: NEWS Now Daniel Holdsworth finds himself in the sin bin for a hand on the ball in a tackle, as the Doggies are reduced to 11 men for then next few minutes.

66 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks score through Covell after Beau Scott gets dragged over the line, but releases the ball for his winger who dives across the stripe. There were plenty of hands in there and some doubt over the grounding as well, but the video ref puts it back to Tony Archer and he awards the try. Covell converts from the sideline and the Sharks are on the charge.
Bulldogs 26-12

68 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Matt Hilder scores out wide after some great lead-up work from Simmons. Covell misses the goal but the Sharks are trying their hearts out to win this one.
Bulldogs 26-16

68 min: NEWS Sonny Bill and Phil are back on the field.

71 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Greg Bird smashes his way through the Dogs' defensive line from close range. Covell does a terrible job from next to the posts with the conversion and it's a six point game.
Bulldogs 26-20

74 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
After going the length of the field, Kimmorley chips over the top and finds David Simmons for a great try out wide. Covell shaves the upright and the Sharks still trail by 2.
Bulldogs 26-24

75 min: NEWS Daniel Holdsworth is back on the field for the Doggies and it looks like they need him.

77 min: NEWS Holdsworth is back on and the almost scores but the video ref awards Cronulla a penalty following an obstruction.

79 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs wrap up an exciting clash through centre Willie Tonga who scored out wide. Great game, El Masri converts.
Bulldogs 32-24

80 min: NEWS The Bulldogs hold on for a great win here at Telstra Stadium, despite a late surge from the Sharks.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Matthew Utai
2 - Hazem El Masri
1 - Brett Kimmorley
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