Two of the poorest performing sides so far squared off in what proved to be an erratic but keenly fought contest, won by the Bulldogs after a strong second half showing, eventually finishing 24-12 victors over the Cowboys.
In the fourth minute it looked like the Bulldogs had scored when Lachlan Lewis got a great ball to Kerrod Holland, who then made a break, drew the defender and then passed to Jayden Okunbor who scored, but the play was called back as Holland's pass was ruled forward.
The Cowboys opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Michael Morgan chipped across to his right wing and Justin O'Neill took a clean catch and fell over the line to score. Jordan Kahu was unable to add the extras.
Kahu eventually added the two points in the 21st minute after he kicked a penalty goal.
Canterbury responded late in the half when a brilliant offload by Ofahiki Ogden saw the hosts put the ball through the hands on the left side and Okunbor dived over to score in the corner. Rhyse Martin converted from the sideline and the scores were level at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Bulldogs took the lead after Nick Meaney drifted right and then, with a nice sleight of hand, dropped a pass back inside behind him to Corey Harawira-Naera, who ran a great straightened line to force his way over for a try to the right of the posts. Martin converted once more.
Ten minutes after that, and the Dogs were in again. This time captain Josh Jackson ran onto a crash ball and barged his way over the line to score a strong try. Martin again converted.
Just 3 minutes later they were in again when Harawira-Naera ran onto a short flat ball in the defensive line, on a great angled run, went through a big gap and scored a good try - his second of the evening. Martin again converted.
The Cowboys opted for a short restart and got the ball back. On the fourth tackle, they spread the ball left where Kahu got a brave pass to Ben Hampton who dived over in the corner to score. Kahu's sideline conversion was spot on.
The Cowboys very nearly had another try 2 minutes later, when John Asiata ran onto a great offload from Morgan, but he was held up over the line.
With nine minutes left in the game, Cooper was also found to have been held up in goal by the bunker, denying the Cowboys of another try.
Time eventually beat the Cowboys as the Bulldogs hung on for a solid 24-12 victory.