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2 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Team
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have posted back-to-back wins for the first time since the onset of COVID-19 by trouncing the Wests Tigers 36-12 at Commbank Stadium.
Backing up their Easter Monday rout over Parramatta with a further six tries against the joint venture, the win - played before a vocal crowd of 14,806 supporters - sees the blue and whites move up to 13th on the ladder ahead of next week's round of representative fixtures.
The Tigers were dealt a blow less than a minute into proceedings with Alex Twal, promoted into the starting side for only the third time this season, needing to be assisted from the field by the medicab after colliding with the ground while pressuring Matt Burton on the last tackle.
Getting the better of their opponents during the opening stages with Burton and Kyle Flanagan forcing repeat sets with their kicking games, underrated hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (14th minute) burrowed over from close range to open the scoring.
Responding a few sets later with Luke Brooks putting up a cross-field bomb, David Nofoaluma (18th minute) managed to outfox Josh Addo-Carr with a great catch and even better put down narrowly inside the corner post.
The Bulldogs regained the lead midway through the first 40 minutes with Jake Averillo (25th minute) splitting the Tigers defence from dummy half to give the home side a six-point break at the change of ends.
Exchanging sets after halftime with the contest poised to go either way, the Bulldogs struck a major blow with Jacob Kiraz collecting a Burton bomb and offloading to give Averillo (50th minute) his second of the afternoon.
Electing to run the ball on the last tackle a few sets after scoring, the Bulldogs were rewarded with Corey Allan combining to send Kiraz (54th minute) over for his third try in the top grade.
Securing the result with Addo-Carr running across the field before Kurtis Morrin (63rd minute) in support, the debutant's joy was short-lived after sustaining a shoulder injury minutes later.
Keeping the points flowing with Aaron Schoupp (68th minute) running the length of the field from an intercept, the Tigers had the final say with James Tamou (79th minute) crossing for a consolation four-pointer second before the final siren.
Following the representative weekend, the Bulldogs will host the Sharks at Commbank Stadium on Saturday afternoon, while the Tigers will travel across the Tasman on Sunday afternoon for the Warriors homecoming.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 36 - Wests Tigers 12
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Crowd: 14806
Halftime Score: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12 Wests Tigers 6
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jeremy Marshall-King
2 points - Tevita Pangai Junior
1 points - Matt Burton
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (36)
Tries: Jeremy Marshall-King, Jake Averillo (2), Jacob Kiraz, Kurtis Morrin, Aaron Schoupp
Conversions: Matt Burton (6/6)
WESTS TIGERS (12)
Tries: David Nofoaluma, James Tamou
Conversions: Luke Brooks (2/2)