Match Details
Match Date	30th Jul, 2011
Opponent	Sydney Roosters
Result	Loss 28-32
Coach	Jim Dymock
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Sydney Football Stadium
Crowd	11,926
Referee	Ben Cummins Phil Haines

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have fallen frustratingly short in a 32-28 loss to the Sydney Roosters at the SFS, in a match that will be remembered as much for the impact of match officials as that of the 34 players used.

Both sides scored five tries, with the Bulldogs fighting back from a ten point deficit early in the second half to lead by two with a quarter of the match remaining.

However, a combination of errors and questionable refereeing decisions allowed the Roosters back into the contest, and they would take full advantage to secure a four point win which snapped a two game losing streak.

The second half penalty count would ultimately prove the difference four in quick succession resulted in two Todd Carney penalty goals, the first of which levelled the scores while the second established an eight point buffer with eight to play.

And while a Jonathan Wright try with two minutes left on the clock reduced the deficit to four, in the end it would count for little as the Roosters held on to take the win.

It was also a night to forget in terms of injuries, with Ben Roberts playing very little part in the match after suffering a badly corked thigh, while Aiden Tolman played much of the night with a shoulder injury.

Both are expected to be available in round 22.

While the match would turn out an entertaining affair, it was also a high-error effort, the tone of which was set inside the opening two minutes in which both sides contributed a pair of knock-ons.

The Roosters looked the more dangerous in the opening exchanges, however any strategic advantage was nullified when the Bulldogs sparked into life on 13 minutes, just when the Roosters looked at their most threatening.

A Carney grubber towards the Dogs posts was read beautifully by Ben Barba, who scooped up the ball on the half volley before sprinting 97 metres to score in the corner.

Steve Turner's conversion made the Dogs lead 6-nil after a quarter of an hour.

The Roosters attack however was worrying the Dogs defence, particularly from the air, and after being held up once they opened their account when BJ Leilua charged onto a bouncing ball to score their first try.

Carney converted to make it six all, and on their next set down the park they took the lead when Aiden Guerra steamed onto the ball to score his side's second try.

Down 10-6 and with few genuine attacking opportunities in Roosters territory, the Bulldogs made one of those few count soon after when Tim Lafai brushed off both Carney and Anthony Minichiello to put the Bulldogs back into the lead.

But still it would be the Roosters who would head into half time in front after Guerra iced his second three minutes before the break, with Carney's conversion making it 16-12.

When Nate Myles barrelled over in the 47th minute - to score his first try in a massive 72 games - things looked dire for the Bulldogs at 22-12.

However the Dogs attacked with Trent Hodkinson slipping a miracle ball to Jamal Idris who was placed on report earlier in the match for a high shot on Minichiello and the centre in turn speared a pinpoint kick infield for Turner to touch down next to the uprights.

The winger's ensuing conversion narrowed the gap to 22-18.

Frank Pritchard then broke the line to put Joel Romelo away for the Dogs fourth try and all of a sudden they were back in the lead at 24-22.

The big second rower went from hero to villain four minutes later after he was put on report for a forearm to the head of Jason Ryles, with Carney stepping up to level the scores from forty metres.

The Bulldogs then allowed the ball to bounce close to their line, with Guerra flinging it wide for Sam Perrett to cross and put the Rooster back in front at 30-14.

A highly questionable offside penalty against the Bulldogs on their own tryline allowed Carney to stretch the buffer to eight, and while Wright's four pointer gave the Dogs both life and hope, in the end it would not be enough as the Roosters closed the match out.

The Bulldogs remain on 20 competition points with five matches left to play in the regular season, the first of which comes on Friday night as they play host to the North Queensland Cowboys in the Reconciliation Cup clash at ANZ Stadium.

Source: AAP

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