Premier Division have suffered another frustrating defeat, this time going down to long time rivals the North Shore Bombers 9.11 (65) - 9.7 (61) in a tense match at Gore Hill Oval. Despite some gallant efforts over the past month the Bulldogs have slipped to 2-4 after defeats to each of 2013's top four teams and face a tough match next weekend underlights at Henson Park against Western Suburbs who are currently occupying third place on the ladder.
For the third match in a row the dogs started slowly as the Bombers applied early pressure and peppered the goals with only succeeding in four behinds and a couple of set shots out on the full. Finally North Shore were able to break through and ended up taking a 16-6 lead into the first break.
The Bulldogs started to get their hands on the ball through the second quarter but it was now our boys who couldn't convert in front of goal, kicking 2.6 for the quarter allowing the score to drift out to 40-24 at half time. It wasn't a decisive lead by any means for the home team but coach Lynch and his men knew it was imperative they start chipping away at the scoreboard in what was shaping up as a low scoring game.
The third quarter was a tough - and sometimes spiteful - term. With both teams fully aware a loss would see them slip more than a game shy of the top five, the intensity went up a level. The Bulldogs were able to take advantage of some North Shore ill discipline to kick three goals from free kicks and four for the quarter. The Bombers were able to kick two themselves which would allow them to hold onto a slender 55-49 lead at the final break.
With momentum on their side the dogs kept up the scoreboard pressure scoring the first two goals of the final term within four minutes to take the lead. Not much more than five minutes later North Shore equalised and it was to the final goal of the match. With both sides trying their best to press forward for the winning score, there was nothing forthcoming until time on when North Shore kicked four behinds to finish the game and take out the win 65-61.
For UNSW-ES Jeremy Daniher was once again one of the best on field while Chris Jourdain and Jack McKinlay were also excellent. James Pascoe and Scott Dornauf kicked two goals each. Next week we play Western Suburbs at Henson Park on Saturday night at 7pm.
Last Modified on 13/05/2014 15:28