Nailbiter for second Double Header
at Telstra

The Bulldogs coming off a bye, looked great in the first half in the second match of the Easter double header at Telstra Stadium, and held out a determined fight back by the Sea Eagles in the second half to narrowly defeat the Manly side by 28-26.

After an initial flurry by the Sea Eagles, the first half was to all one way traffic as the Bulldogs set about scoring points. Unforced errors held the score back a bit, however they went to the break full of confidence with a 16-0 lead.

An early try to the Sea Eagles in the second half finally had them on the scoreboard and unbelievably within 20 minutes from the break, including three tries to the Sea Eagles in five minutes, the score was locked up at 22 all. The Bulldogs maybe a little guilty of complacency and the Manly side full of determination.

A nailbiter until the end, only Andrew Walker missing the last conversion of the match with less than a minute to go, stopped the game from heading into extra time.

A great finish to what was the 100th game between the two sides.

Telstra Stadium. Referee: Steve Clark

Scorers: BULLDOGS 28 Tries: Lolesi 2, Ryan, Asotasi, El Masri Goals: El Masri 4/6 defeated SEA EAGLES 26 Tries: Watmough, Donald 2, Hicks, Menzies Goals: Walker 3/5

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Sherwin (Bulldogs) 2 - S Price (Bulldogs) 1 - A Walker (Sea Eagles)

By the clock:

0 min: Kick off at Telstra Stadium

5th min: NEWS - The Sea Eagles have the weight of possession so far in the match, but errors letting both sides down

10th min: NEWS - Still no score in the match riddled with unforced errors. The Bulldogs dropping the ball early in the tackle count on many occasions while hot on attack

12th min: TRY - Lolesi for Bulldogs. Once again the Bulldogs are on attack. Sherwin puts up a huge bomb into the corner, collected beautifully by Lolesi. El Masri from the sideline, hits the post and misses. Bulldogs 4-0

18th min: NEWS - Grimaldi (Bulldogs) sent to the bin after a professional foul close to the Sea Eagles line, slowing down play. Manly close to scoring in the following set, however the ball is lost over the line. Score remains 4-0 to the Bulldogs

23rd min: TRY - Ryan for Bulldogs. The Bulldogs making metres at will. Ryan busts through very soft defence to score under the posts. El Masri has no trouble adding the 2 points. Bulldogs 10-0

29th min: TRY - Asotasi for Bulldogs. A knock on called against the Sea Eagles right in front of the Bulldogs line. Only a matter of time for the Bulldogs to score. Asotasi too strong close to the line. El Masri adds the extra points. Bulldogs 16-0

31st min: NEWS - Thurston (Bulldogs) stretchered off the field with a suspected fractured leg, after a perfectly legal tackle from the Sea Eagles player, just falling awkwardly

35th min: NEWS - A break by the Bulldogs looked to be a certain try, however the scrambling defence by the Sea Eagles was spot on. Bulldogs lead 16-0

HALF TIME: The Bulldogs looked set to post a big score midway through the half, but the Sea Eagles have fought back well, both on defence and attack, and unlucky to score. Bulldogs lead 16-0

41st min: Second half underway in the 100th game between these two sides

42nd min: TRY - Watmough for Sea Eagles. An infringement by the Bulldogs gives the Manly side excellent field position which they make full use of. Quick plays and the try is scored by Watmough close to the posts. Walker adds the extra two points. Bulldogs 16-6

47th min: TRY - El Masri for Bulldogs. Expansive football by both side. Explosive runs this time going the Bulldogs way. El Masri gets a great ball, ducks and weaves and is over. He converts his try. Bulldogs 22-6

55th min: TRY - Donald for Sea Eagles. The Manly side is not giving up in this game. A great set and Donald is set up beautifully out wide and comes round to score under the posts. Walker with the conversion, hits the post and misses. Bulldogs 22-10

58th min: TRY - Menzies for Sea Eagles. A penalty against Lolesi (Bulldogs), another 10 metres for back chat, and the Manly side have an easy ride in with Menzies collecting the try with a great inside pass. Walkers adds the extra points. Lolesi is strongly warned by the ref. Bulldogs 22-16

60th min: TRY - Donald for Sea Eagles. From the kick off the Bulldogs are caught napping as the flying Manly winger sets on a solo effort to score his 2nd try of the evening. Walker adds 2 points from an easy conversion. The scores are tied up at 22 all

67th min: TRY - Lolesi for Bulldogs. Attacking from right on the Sea Eagles line, Anasta throws a wide pass out to Lolesi who breaks through a one on one tackle and runs 90 lonely metres to score unopposed. El Masri converts the try. Bulldogs 28-22

70th min: NEWS - El Masri (Bulldogs) misses a penalty kick 35 metres out, after the Sea Eagles had been marched 10 metres by the ref for back chat. Score remains 28-22 to the Bulldogs

74th min: NEWS - The Sea Eagles have a golden opportunity to lock up the score again, but a poor pass close to the line goes out into touch, the chance is lost

76th min: NEWS - Another great chance for Manly but the Bulldogs defence is not asleep and they cover superbly. Bulldogs 28-22

77th min: NEWS - Anasta (Bulldogs) looks for a field goal from 40 metres out, but misses

79th min: TRY - Hicks for Sea Eagles. A last ditch attempt by the Sea Eagles sees a great pass from Walker out to a flying Hicks who gets the nod from the video ref All pressure on Walker to convert from the sideline to even the score. Walker just misses. Bulldogs 28-26

FULLTIME: Not a convincing second half for the Bulldogs. Good on the Sea Eagles for such a spirited comeback. Bulldogs win 28-26.