Bulldogs bark late to down Roosters in another miracle comeback

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters

Canterbury have beaten the Roosters by 24-20 in an absolute classic match at Accor Stadium tonight.

The Bulldogs have now come back from zero at halftime in consecutive weeks following their incredible win in the Nation's Capital last week, leaving Roosters fans in heartbreak after they wrestled the lead back late through a miracle Mark Nawaqanitawase try.

It was Matt Burton who was the hero for the home side, when the star five-eighth took the game by the scuff of the neck to score a superb solo try with five minutes remaining, sealing yet another miraculous comeback for Cameron Ciraldo's men.  

The Bulldogs came into the game as warm favourites given their electric start to the season. However, it was the visitors who managed to get the jump on their bitter rivals when Roosters rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the first try of the night following some slick hands from James Tedesco.

Following the kickoff, Blues incumbent Spencer Leniu ran over the top of Bulldogs prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita in a steaming run, which saw the young Dogs forward deemed a Category 1 and ending his night early.

The Tricolours continued to dominate possession and after Dogs prop Matt King was penalised for a clumsy high shot, Sandon Smith took a gift two points to give the Roosters an 8-0 lead.

Canterbury continued to look lethargic and could not seem to produce a decent last tackle kick to apply much pressure and Sydney continued to march up field again and again.

The Dogs defensive line finally cracked, when Roosters firebrand Lindsay Collins crashed over before halftime to give his side a convincing 14-0 lead, leaving Canterbury being held to nil at the break for the second consecutive week.

The Bulldogs needed to get on the scoreboard first and they did just that when Bailey Hayward split the Roosters line with a dummy and found Viliame Kikau in support who scored next to the posts.

Moments later the Bulldogs had their second try when halfback Toby Sexton pounced on a Roosters dropped ball to race away and score next to the posts and narrow the lead to two points.  

Matt Burton then stepped up, puting up an enormous torpedo bomb that was dropped by Mark Nawaqanitawase. The error proved crucial when Bronson Xerri ran an inside line to charge over to score and give the Bulldogs the lead for the first time in the match.

Then just as Canterbury had all the momentum, Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored one of the tries of the season through a chip and chase in limited space to score and put the Roosters back in front with 13 minutes remaining.

Canterbury couldn't be denied however, with Burton charging over to score the match winner with minutes remaining to consolidate the Bulldogs position at the summit of the NRL ladder.

The Roosters now face another tough match in the Sharks in Gosford next Sunday, while Canterbury will return to Accor Stadium next Thursday night where they will host the Dolphins.