2003: ROUND 12

vs Wests Tigers

Match Details
Match Date 31st May, 2003
Opponent Wests Tigers
Result Loss
14-20
Coach Steven Folkes
Captain Steve Price
Venue Sydney Showground Homebush
Crowd 7,602
Referee Steve Clark

After being held scoreless by Brisbane last week, the Bulldogs have suffered a even more hurtful loss, being outplayed by the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Showground. Stand-in captain Mark O'Neill was brilliant for the Tigers, and really helped lift the squad, as he collected a try next to his name, and also put on a try-saving tackle against Kiwi, Matt Utai in the late stages of the game.

Wests had not reached double figures since their Round Five game against Manly, but with the Bulldogs struggling to complete their sets, it was almost handed on a platter to the Tigers.

Wests Tigers were the first to score in the game when O'Neill crashed over the line in the 13th minute, collecting the inside ball from hooker Ben Galea. With the extras added, Wests were up 6-0.

Luke Covell extended that lead with a converted penalty in the 21st minute. Despite the Tigers having more success in the attack, the Bulldogs took the lead going into the shed at half time with Vagana collecting two intercepts and running all the way to score.

In the start of the second half, both El Masri and Covell exchanged penalties, before Terry Hill crossed in the 55th minute to bring the scores to 14 all.

The Tigers sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining when Mark O'Halloran picked up a terrible pass by Sherwin to sprint 70 metres and score next to the posts.

The result is a huge boost to the Wests Tigers campaign, and puts them again back in the hunt for the top eight. The Bulldogs now must be wondering what is the big difference between their squad of 2002 that almost went all the way, and the side which is taking the field in 2003.

Source: www.rleague.com

LINE UP
Player Position Tries Goals F Goals Points
Luke Patten Fullback 0 0 0 0
Hazem El Masri Wing 0 3 0 6
Matt Utai Wing 0 0 0 0
Nigel Vagana Centre 2 0 0 8
Ben Harris Centre 0 0 0 0
Johnathan Thurston Five Eighth 0 0 0 0
Brent Sherwin Half Back 0 0 0 0
Braith Anasta Lock 0 0 0 0
Andrew Ryan Second Row 0 0 0 0
Willie Mason Second Row 0 0 0 0
Steve Price Front Row 0 0 0 0
Mark O'Meley Front Row 0 0 0 0
Adam Perry Hooker 0 0 0 0
Jamie Feeney Replacement 0 0 0 0
Corey Hughes Replacement 0 0 0 0
Glen Hughes Replacement 0 0 0 0
Dennis Scott Replacement 0 0 0 0
Total: 2 3 0 14