Match Details
Match Date	3rd Apr, 2005
Opponent	Cronulla
Result	Loss 12-26
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Endeavour Field (Toyota Park)
Crowd	17,053
Referee	Tony Archer

Cronulla inflicted a third consecutive defeat on a weakened Bulldogs outfit today, posting a 26-12 victory in the NRL clash at Toyota Park.

The out-of-sorts premiers are reeling with a 1-3 record after losing their past two matches to teams which finished outside the top eight last year.

Buoyed by the return of props Jason Stevens and Danny Nutley and a vocal crowd of more than 17,000, the Sharks never looked like losing and went to the halftime break with a comfortable 18-point lead.

The Bulldogs' problems in the forwards were compounded today when star back-rower Sonny Bill Williams left the field in the 28th minute with a right ankle injury and did not return.

Without injured internationals Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason and hard-working hooker Adam Perry, the 'Dogs lacked grunt in the engine room and failed to provide enough space for their halves.

Cronulla's four tries to two victory was their first win over the Bulldogs at its home ground since 2000.

The Bulldogs had no answer to the Sharks' attacking prowess in the opening 20 minutes as the home side racked up 18 points through tries to Luke Covell (4m), Nigel Vagana (10m) and Adam Dykes (17m).

Vagana set up a flying David Peachey for a try shortly after the break to extend Cronulla's lead to 24-0 and a 46th minute Covell penalty goal gave the Sharks an unassailable break.

The 'Dogs didn't put points on the board until the 58th minute when skipper Andrew Ryan scored from close range.

Australian centre Willie Tonga grabbed a consolation try for the visitors in the dying stages.

Vagana was back to his best against his former team while Cronulla five-eighth Adam Dykes was also dangerous.

Bulldogs hooker Corey Hughes could find himself in trouble tomorrow when the NRL's match review committee studies his 70th minute high shot on lock Paul Gallen.

Source: AAP

LINE UP