Bulldogs easily handle Dragons
Written by: Ian Ritchie
13/08/06

LINK TO MATCH PICS - CLICK HERE

Round 23
Canterbury Bulldogs 26 v St George Illawarra Dragons 10
at Telstra Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead

Match Summary:
The Canterbury Bulldogs have run out comfortable 26-10 winners over the St George Illawarra Dragons in front of 31,256 fans at Telstra Stadium this afternoon. The Bulldogs had a comfortable 16-4 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs were quick out of the blocks with Brent Sherwin scoring after six minutes. Willie Mason doubled the Bulldogs lead after 14 minutes with a strong run that saw him drag two tacklers over the line. The Bulldogs went up 16-0 after 24 minutes with a try to Hazem El Masri in the corner. The Dragons struck back four minutes later with a try to Brett Morris. The Dragons had a late chance at the Bulldogs line, but threw a forward pass.

The Bulldogs struck first after halftime with Sonny Bill scoring near the posts after a Dragons error. Trent Barrett responded on the 48 minute mark with a try under the posts, but from then on the Dragons didn’t really threaten. Hazem El Masri added a penalty goal just before the hour mark, and another one just before fulltime for the final 26-10 scoreline.

Next week the Bulldogs host the struggling Broncos, while the Dragons host the Tigers – both teams are in freefall.
Scorers:
Canterbury Bulldogs: 26
Tries: Hazem El Masri, Willie Mason, Brent Sherwin, Sonny Bill Williams
Goals: Hazem El Masri 5/6
St George Illawarra Dragons: 10
Tries: Trent Barrett, Brett Morris
Goals: Mathew Head 1/2

By the Clock:
Good afternoon from Telstra Stadium. Today we have the Bulldogs hosting the Dragons. Big crowd in and it is a beautiful day.

Ryles isn't starting for the Dragons, Bulldogs are 1-17.

1 min: The Bulldogs get us underway!

5 min: Quick start here, we haven't had a stoppage in play yet.

6 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
A Bulldogs pass goes astray, the Dragons rush up on it but Sherwin gets the ball and he scores an embarassingly easy try. El Masri adds the extras from beside the posts.
Bulldogs 6-0

9 min: The Dragons kick through and Cooper recovers it, however he gets wrapped up and throws a poor pass. The Bulldogs nearly score at the other end.

11 min: Mason penalised for not playing the ball correctly.

12 min: Gasnier makes a great run, he offloads to Cooper who has the ball knocked out as he catches it.

14 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Mason gets the ball back on the inside and scores in the tackle of two defenders. El Masri lands the goal from 10 left of the posts.
Bulldogs 12-0

20 min: The Dragons get good field position off a Sherwin mis-kick.

21 min: A good kick from Head nearly finds Best in the corner.

23 min: The Bulldogs go on attack after a penalty.

23 min: INJURY - Sam Isemonger injured after a head clash with Andrew Ryan. He has a huge lump on the side of his face.

24 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Great leadup play from the Bulldogs including a great offload from Sonny Bill has El Masri scoring right in the corner. His kick goes across the face of the uprights.
Bulldogs 16-0

28 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Quick hands from the Dragons has Brett Morris scoring in the corner. Head hits the uprights and misses the goal.
Bulldogs 16-4

33 min: Hornby nearly gets forced into the ingoal, he gets the ball to Best who runs over the sideline instead. Dumb play really.

35 min: VIDEO REFEREE - For a highly unlikely Bulldogs try.

35 min: NO TRY - El Masri ruled to have knocked on contesting a bomb. Follows a great defensive set by the Dragons.

36 min: The Dragons nearly score after recovering a long kick.

38 min: Dragons will go on attack to finish the first half.

39 min: First play after a scrum feed the Dragons throw a forward pass.

Halftime at Telstra Stadium.

Second half delayed as we have no referee.

40 min: Bumsteads back and we're underway!

43 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
The Dragons make an error, Sonny gets the ball several plays later off a tidy Holdsworth offload and he dots down 10 to the right of the posts. Some hints of an obstruction. El Masri converts.
Bulldogs 22-4

47 min: Hornby makes a break to inside the 10 and gets a penalty.

48 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
A great pass to Barrett gets him inside his defender and he scores under the posts. Head converts.
Bulldogs 22-10

58 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri lands a penalty goal.
Bulldogs 24-10

68 min: The Dragons have had the best chances in the last 10 minutes, but can't get across the whitewash.

73 min: Head has been interchanged off, it looks as though the Dragons are conceding defeat.

74 min: Barrett chips, chases and can't hold onto the ball.

77 min: Lot of errors in the game now.

78 min: ON REPORT - Poore is on report for a swinging arm on Armit.

79 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri lands the penalty for the swinging arm in front of 31,256 fans.
Bulldogs 26-10

Fulltime, and the Bulldogs claim a comfortable victory over the Dragons.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
2 - Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs)
1 - Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
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