Match Details
Match Date	16th Aug, 2015
Opponent	Gold Coast Titans
Result	Win 36-14
Coach	Des Hasler
Captain	James Graham
Venue	Gosford (Central Coast Stadium)
Crowd	11,021
Referee	Adam Devcich Alan Shortall

Brett Morris, Curtis Rona and Greg Eastwood all bagged two tries apiece as Canterbury forced their way back into the top eight with a comprehensive 22-point win over a hapless Gold Coast Titans at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday.

The major concern for the Bulldogs, however, is an ankle injury to hooker Michael Lichaa, who left the field after just four minutes, forcing Josh Jackson to move from back-rower into a makeshift No.9 jersey. Lichaa took no further part in the game and sat on the sidelines with a moon boot on his foot and crutches by his side.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said he didn’t think Lichaa’s injury would be season-ending, but admitted it did create a headache at the pointy end of the season.

‘‘He’s really worked hard to be an 80-minute player and it’s a shame but at the same time you recognise that is part of the game, but at least it’s not season-ending,’’ Hasler said. ‘‘It could be worse. He’ll be back. He’s off to get it scanned and X-rayed now so he might have a fracture to the lower leg. We probably made it a bit more difficult for ourselves than what we needed to. I think losing Michael Lichaa early probably put us out of our rhythm early.’’

The Bulldogs’ eight-point halftime lead was extended to 12 when back-rower Eastwood pounced on a grubber kick, but a slippery James Roberts snaked through the Bulldogs’ defence to score a brilliant individual four pointer and equal the club’s season try-scoring tally of 16 held by David Mead, to get the Titans back within striking distance.

However, late tries to Morris, Rona, another to Eastwood and David Klemmer’s first of the year put the lead beyond doubt.

The game provided a chance for the last-placed Titans, who have now lost seven of their last eight matches, to restore some pride. But the Bulldogs pack were overly keen to help back up from their surprise two-point win over competition leaders Brisbane last week.

Captain James Graham said a four-game winning streak the Titans held over the Bulldogs made the win even more satisfying.

‘‘You take into account our recent history against this side and it’s not been too great, so I thought it was a very important win for us,’’ said Graham, who made 176 metres and notched 26 tackles. ‘‘I was especially pleased with our second-half performance.’’

Titans coach Neil Henry said Aidan Sezer would have scans for a sore shoulder and was in ‘‘a fair bit of doubt’’ for next week.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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