Match Details
Match Date	23rd Jul, 2004
Opponent	Wests Tigers
Result	Win 24-20
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Steve Price
Venue	Campbelltown (Stadium)
Crowd	16,540
Referee	Tony Archer

The Bulldogs moved into sole possession of top spot on the NRL ladder with a hard-fought 24-20 win over the resilient and surprising Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

It had been a taxing week for the Tigers, with the furore surrounding Danny Williams' king-hit on club stalwart Mark O'Neill dominating headlines.

But it seemed to galvanise the home side and they gave the premiership powerhouses a genuine fright, threatening to steal the two points in a frantic final 30 seconds.

The Tigers trailed only 14-8 at halftime and started the second half with genuine hopes of springing a shock upset.

That ambition took its first hit only 48 seconds after the break - that's how long it took the Bulldogs to open the second-half scoring thanks to a splash of controversy, a touch of luck and some brilliant attack.

The Tigers' kick-off looked to be going dead before Bulldogs winger Matt Utai fortuitously got his hand to it, appearing to knock on in his own in-goal.

Referee Tony Archer ruled play-on and the New Zealand international beat some innocuous defence on a 50 metre run which put his side on the attack.

NSW forward Willie Mason - sporting a freshly-shaven mohawk - then surged downfield before the ball finished with winger Hazem El Masri, who scored to give his side a 18-8 lead.

Tigers captain Scott Sattler was seething, describing the decision a "disgrace".

That try seemed to steel the Tigers and they found the reply they needed when Ben Galea and Scott Prince combined to put the home side on the attack.

Price was eventually mown down by Bulldogs back rower Tony Grimaldi.

The Tigers looked certain to score against the disorganised Bulldogs defence but Archer elected to sin-bin Grimaldi and award the home side a penalty.

It didn't matter - Tigers second rower Anthony Laffranchi stretched out to score and the Bulldogs lead was back to four points when Hodgson converted.

Once again the Bulldogs, with only 12 men, replied.

The stocky Utai was again the destroyer, bursting downfield to put the Bulldogs in striking distance.

Anasta was on hand to capitalise, stepping inside one defender and diving over, El Masri converting to restore the Bulldogs 10-point lead at 24-14.

But if the Bulldogs thought that was the end of the matter, they were sadly mistaken.

The impressive Brett Hodgson managed to squeeze a pass out in a two-man tackle and centre Shane Elford streeted away, Hodgson converting to reduce the Bulldogs lead to 24-20.

The Tigers could have taken the lead for the first time in the match in the 69th minute when Michael Buettner burst through and found Dene Halatau in support.

But Utai managed to wrestle the ball free as Halatau rolled over the line, video referee Graeme West correctly ruling no try.

That tackle proved to be a match-saver as the 'Dogs moved two points clear of the Sydney Roosters at the top of the NRL ladder.

Source: AAP

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