The Gunnedah Bulldogs recorded their highest score of the Group 4 rugby league season so far as they trounced the Dungowan Cowboys 54-16 at Dungowan Recreation Ground last Saturday.

The result enabled Gunnedah to maintain a share of the ladder lead along with North Tamworth and Werris Creek after four rounds, while Boggabri slipped to outright fourth with its first defeat.

It was the second time the Bulldogs amassed a half-century of points this year, having beaten Kootingal 54-4 in round one.

Coming off a 20-all draw with Werris Creek, the Bulldogs scored five tries in each half and conceded one in the first half and two in the second half.

Fullback Dylan Lake, winger Mckye Tucknott and halfback Ezra Gibson scored two tries each for the victors, while four other Bulldogs scored once each.

No. 9 Callum Hayne had a fine game for Gunnedah, while Gibson achieved a personal haul of 22 points after landing seven conversions.

After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, the Bulldogs posted five tries in 23 minutes to set up a 28-0 lead before the Cowboys scored a converted try as half-time loomed.

Gibson scored the first try of the second half before teammate Nick White scored next, but then the Bulldogs momentarily lost their way as Dungowan scored back-to-back tries.

Gunnedah went on to score the final three tries, with Gibson converting his second four-pointer to raise the team score to 50.

Bulldogs coach Sean Hayne said his team “had some good moments and some not-so-good moments” while conditions were a bit slippery and greasy.

“We dropped our intensity a bit, and let in a few tries we shouldn’t have,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re committed for the full 80 minutes.”

This Sunday the Bulldogs host the Wee Waa Panthers at Kitchener Park, with Wee Waa yet to win this year.

“If we turn up with the right attitude, we should be okay,” Hayne said.

In the meantime, Gunnedah’s reserve graders and U18s will continue to seek a breakthrough win after the Cowboys won 26-24 in reserve grade and 32-0 in U18s.

RIGHT: A Dungowan Cowboys player surges into a strong Gunnedah Bulldogs defensive line in last Saturday’s Group 4 rugby league clash at the Dungowan Recreation Ground.

Photo: Gunnedah Rugby League Football Club.