Salvation for Souths with Good Friday win

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

It was a Friday that was Good Enough for South Sydney as the Rabbitohs claimed their first win of the season with a 20-16 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Getting a much-needed result following weeks of intense scrutiny on and off the field, the Rabbitohs claimed their fifth consecutive Good Friday win to the delight of 35,275 supporters at Accor Stadium.

The Rabbitohs got off to a strong start with a captain's challenge and penalty providing the besieged club with the field position needed to send Thomas Burgess (9th minute) over for the opening try of the day.

Extending their lead into double figures after an offload from Latrell Mitchell put the Bulldogs defence on the backfoot, new signing Jack Wighton (12th minute) finished off a left-side shift to score his first try in red and green colours.

The Bulldogs managed to hold their nerve despite continued pressure on their try line and were rewarded following an attacking raid instigated by Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr, who found Matt Burton (24th minute) in support to touch down underneath the posts.

Burton shifted the momentum of the match with a 40/20 that enable Blake Taaffe to shine against his former club with a pinpoint perfect chip kick for Connor Tracey (33rd minute) in the corner.

Almost going further ahead only for Kurtis Morrin to lose control of the ball a metre out from the try line, the Bulldogs were dealt a major blow with Addo-Carr ruled out of the match with concussion after heavy contact from Mitchell on the final play of the half.

Staring down the prospect of their worst start to a season since 2008, the Rabbitohs responded immediately with Alex Johnston bursting down the touchline and finding Wighton (46th minute) in support to regain the lead.

Taking the lead out to a converted try via a Mitchell penalty goal, the Rabbitohs survived a scare with the bunker overturning a Kikau try due to obstruction by Jaeman Salmon in the lead up.

The Bulldogs were unable to convert a stack of possession on the Rabbitohs try line and were dealt a further blow when a lack of discipline from Tracey allowed the Rabbitohs to go beyond a converted try with a penalty from in front.

A quick tap from Stephen Crichton allowed Tracey (79th minute) to set up a thrilling finish, however the Rabbitohs managed to hold on for a 20-16 win.

Next week, the Rabbitohs will host the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, while the Bulldogs will commemorate 20 years since their last premiership against the Roosters on Friday evening.