The Jersey Flegg Panthers couldn't overcome an impressive Bulldogs outfit as they suffered a 24-4 defeat at Panthers Stadium on Sunday.
After being thoroughly beaten by Mounties last week, the Panthers turned in an improved performance but once again struggled to convert possession into points.
The Panthers were on the board after four minutes as five-eighth Dean Blore put a hard-running Mose Feilo over to score from close range. Blore’s attempted conversion sailed wide, leaving the score at 4-0.
In the 14th minute the Bulldogs found space down the left edge and centre Tui Katoa burst through on a 30-metre charge to the tryline. Morgan Harper couldn’t convert and the game was level at 4-all.
The Dogs hit the lead with three minutes to play before the break as halfback Nikau Williams shook off some would-be tacklers to crash over. Harper’s conversion put the visitors ahead 10-4.
HALFTIME – Panthers 4 – 10 Bulldogs
Panthers fullback Daine Laurie broke clear in 49th minute but his final pass to an unmarked winger was ruled forward.
Instead it was the Bulldogs who scored two minutes later as winger Frank Kuresa dived over in the corner. Harper failed to convert but the Bulldogs led 14-4.
J'maine Hopgood looked like he had finally hit back for the Panthers with seven minutes left in the game. However the touch judge brought a swift end to celebrations, ruling the backrower had grounded the ball on the sideline.
The Bulldogs marched downfield from the restart and Zac Hetherington finished off a break from prop Elie El-Zakhem to seal the result. The successful conversion pushed the visitors' lead to 20-4.
Katoa popped up for his second try in the 67th minute as the Bulldogs began to throw the ball around and found space on the left edge.
FULLTIME - Panthers 4 - 24 Bulldogs
