Lachlan Jeffery reviews Sunday afternoon’s clash between Newcastle and Canterbury
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Newcastle Knights 10
Tries: Enari Tuala (28), Dom Young (61)
Goals: Jake Clifford (61)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24
Tries: Jacob Kiraz 3 (7, 10, 44), Aaron Schoupp (33)
Goals: Matt Burton 4 (11, 34, 40, 46)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesA starring performance from their outside backs has helped the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to a dominant 24-10 win over the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on a cool Sunday afternoon.
Jacob Kiraz scored a hat-trick, while Aaron Schoupp, Josh Addo-Carr and Braidon Burns all produced some brilliant plays for the resurgent Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs nearly got off to the perfect start when Addo-Carr crossed inside two minutes, only to be called back for a forward pass.
It didn’t take long for them to get another chance as Schoupp threw Dane Gagai into touch. From the ensuing set, a short-side play on the last by Jeremy Marshall-King set up Kiraz for his first from a spectacular pass by Braidon Burns.
Three minutes later they were again, after a kick was knocked back for Addo-Carr to kick across to Kiraz to score his second.
Both sides had chances throughout the first half, however errors in great attacking range cost them. Discipline in defence also proved to be a problem for the Knights, conceding four penalties and allowing the Bulldogs to make easy metres.
Despite their ill-discipline, the Knights were next to score when they forced a repeat set, ultimately shifting to Enari Tuala after creating an overlap on the left.
The Bulldogs were quick to hit back though, as Matt Burton kicked early for Addo-Carr to set up Schoupp on the inside.
A penalty goal after the siren allowed Canterbury to take an 18-4 lead to half-time.
The break didn’t help Newcastle at all with Canterbury starting the second half just as quickly as the first, shifting to the right for Kiraz to complete his hat-trick with a spectacular dive for the corner.
Some great hands by Anthony Milford helped Dom Young to cross out wide in the 63rd minute to get the Knights back into the game.
Young’s try swung momentum back to the Knights, however Anthony Milford and Jake Clifford continually proved unable give the team any guidance, despite spending most of the final 15 minutes attacking the Bulldogs line.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), 2 pts – Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), 1 pt – Aaron Schoupp (Bulldogs)
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