Match Details
Match Date	5th Apr, 2009
Opponent	Cronulla
Result	Win 24-12
Coach	Kevin Moore
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Homebush (ANZ Stadium)
Crowd	15,520
Referee	Jason Robinson Gerard Sutton

The Bulldogs have prevailed over the Sharks 24-12 in a scrappy encounter at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

Despite failing to fully capitalise on a glut of possession in the first half, the Dogs were able to hold on against a Sharks outfit that only found their feet in the second forty.

"We were very good in patches - the first 25 minutes was excellent. We worked through our sets and put points on the board," said Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore.

Gifted with possession by an error-ridden Sharks, the Dogs raced to an 18-0 lead following tries to Bryson Goodwin in one corner, Hazem el Masri in the other and Andrew Ryan through the middle.

Ennis played a role in all three tries but his deft double cut-out pass to put winger Goodwin over the line after just five minutes brought the crowd of 15,520 to its feet.

However the Sharks were eventually able to fight back when they strung a set of six together and Anthony Tupou dived over after gathering a deflected high ball.

Luke Covell's sideline conversion ensured the Sharks were still in the match, trailing 18-6 at halftime.

They came within a converted try of the Dogs after captain Paul Gallen took advantage of back-pedalling defence to score nine minutes after the break.

The Bulldogs mounted a number of attacks in response but were held scoreless by a combination of determined defence and controversial decisions. Goodwin crossed the line on two occasions only to be denied by the officials.

"I thought they were both fair tries, but that's footy. You can't get too hung up on it," Goodwin said.

Despite their frustrations, the Dogs were able to hold on and then score the match winner in the 73rd minute courtesy of Josh Morris who burrowed over next to the posts.

The victory was the Bulldogs' third of 2009 and condemned the Sharks to their third consecutive loss.

"The most important thing is that we won and we got out of the game what we wanted to achieve - the two points," said Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley.

In more bad news for the Sharks, Jack Afamasaga was carried from the field with a knee injury and Luke Covell was put on report for an alleged trip.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, look ahead to an Easter Monday clash with the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.

Source: Evan Sieff

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