Roosters squeak past a spirited Bulldogs outfit

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters move into fifth after a tense 22-16 success against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs tonight at Western Sydney stadium. 

The Roosters weren't at their feathered best but did enough to beat a determined Bulldogs line-up. Tries to Billy Smith, Sitili Tupounia, Joseph Manu and Matt Ikuvalu were enough to put the tri-colours back in the winner's circle. 

Trent Robinson wasn't happy after full-time, whether it was about his team's performance or Sam Walker's heads up play to secure the win it was hard to tell. Roosters laboured to the win despite going out to a 10-nil advantage due to tries to Smith and Tupounia before the Bulldogs hit back. Joesph Manu and Lachlan Lewis found the stripe for a 16-10 lead at the break. 

Bulldogs showed some spirit in their game tonight. Despite not being flush with attacking options, they were gallant tonight. Lewis starred for them back in first grade, got through the whole 80 minutes and provided two moments of magic in the first half. The half chipped for himself to score then profited on a Manu drop for his first double in the NRL. 

Only down by six at the break, Bulldogs struck first to make it 16-all. Nick Meaney who is off to the Storm sliced through to get the Bulldogs back in the contest. Both sides got themselves into an arm wrestle as the conditions worsened at a damp Western Sydney stadium. 

Both sides were unable to execute their attack in the wet. Roosters edged themselves through Matt Ikuvalu. The winger took a courageous kick to get a penalty before he stepped inside to make it 20-16. Roosters were sloppy in execution and unable to put away the plucky Bulldogs. 

If Canterbury can repeat this effort for the rest of the season they might avoid the spoon. but they need to find more attacking options. Lewis showed some spark and their forwards rolled forward but execution wasn't their strong point. Jack Hetherington didn't help with some costly errors and a penalty which Sam Walker converted. 

Walker also courted some controversy with his last minute decision to seal the game. The young halfback took the ball from the Bulldogs 20 metre and ran it all the way to his own line to make sure the Roosters survived and moved back into fifth spot.