Bulldogs beat the odds to stun Rabbitohs

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have recorded their third win of the season after stunning the South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-16 at ANZ Stadium.

Scoring four tries to three to claim victory in the opening match of Women In League Round, the win sees the Bulldogs temporarily move off the bottom of the ladder with one round remaining.

Getting off to a strong start with a penalty goal to rookie Jake Averillo, the Bulldogs posted the first try through Tim Lafai (13th minute) after a bat-back from Jayden Okunbor.

Taking advantage of Rabbitohs second-rower Jadyn Su'a being sent to the sin bin for high contact on Lachlan Lewis, a powerhouse effort from Reimis Smith (23rd minute) followed by a third to Raymond Faitala-Mariner (26th minute) saw the visitors establish a 20-0 lead.

Needing to be next to score having managed to fight back from a 20-point deficit on just two occasions in their history, Rabbitohs winger Jaxson Paulo (32nd minute) was awarded a try on the spot only for replays to show his foot out of play.

Striking again shortly before halftime, centre Campbell Graham (39th minute) sent the Rabbitohs to the sheds trailing 20-10.

Reducing the margin to four points when Alex Johnston (48th minute) finished off a lovely cut-out pass from Cody Walker, the Rabbitohs were made to pay for their inability to stay composed during the remainder of the match.

Securing the result through journeyman forward Chris Smith (65th minute), who claimed his first try after six seasons in the NRL, the Blue and Whites held on to give captain Josh Jackson a win in his 200th appearance.

Next week, the Rabbitohs face the Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Friday night in a foundation clash set to have a major bearing on the final make-up of the top eight, while the Bulldogs play their final match against the Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.