Match Details
Match Date	31st May, 2009
Opponent	Newcastle
Result	Loss 14-22
Coach	Kevin Moore
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Newcastle (EnergyAustralia Stadium)
Crowd	18,322
Referee	Jason Robinson Tony De Las Heras

A courageous second half comeback from the Bulldogs wasn't enough as they succumbed 22-14 to Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.

The Dogs outscored the home team 14-2 in the second half but were ultimately left to rue a scoreless first half, albeit with a seemingly legitimate Jamal Idris try denied by the video referee.

Midway through the first half the hulking centre appeared to have opened the Dogs' account as he pounced on a grubber let go by fullback Wes Naiqama. However the video referee left the blue-and-whites baffled with knock-on ruling against Idris.

Yet the Bulldogs had only themselves to blame for conceding early tries to the Knights' Richard Fa'aoso and Scott Dureau.

Eight minutes in, Fa'aoso crashed through a fractured defensive line still recovering from a 60m break from Keith Lulia.

Halfback Dureau was in for the Knights just minutes later as Jarrod Mullen showed his class at five-eighth. Running across field he found a gap for second row Zeb Taia, who turned the ball inside for the try and a 14-0 lead.

The Dogs' frustrations grew in the shadows of halftime when Newcastle debutant Con Mika crossed for a try after a possible knock-on from Naiqama went unchecked.

Idris continued to impress with ball-in-hand and wouldn't be denied a try in the 48th minute. He barrelled over on the end of an expansive backline move to spark a spirited comeback.

Five minutes later Idris' centre partner Josh Morris, in his return from a foot injury, buried between two defenders before reaching out to score.

Then Bryson Goodwin brought the Dogs within six points of the Knights in the 58th minute - chasing down a rare chip kick from Andrew Ryan to score his ninth try of the season.

But it was as close as the desperate Dogs would get. 

A late penalty from Naiqama ensured the Knights victory while giving the Bulldogs plenty to work on heading into the bye week.

Source: Evan Sieff

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