Scrappy Bulldogs amass 64 points

The Gunnedah Bulldogs first graders broke their two-game losing streak in Group 4 rugby league, as they trounced the lowly-placed Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters 64-18 at Kitchener Park last Sunday.

The victors tallied 12 tries to three but were far from polished, as they lacked composure and patience while they sometimes overplayed their hand.

The triumph was also tempered by the dismissal of stand-in captain Callum Hayne for a dangerous tackle in the second half.

Hayne assumed the captaincy following the late withdrawal of Lincon Smith, while Jim Muller was also missing.

Having begun the season in the No. 7 jersey before missing a couple of games, Ezra Gibson returned last Sunday albeit in the No. 13 jersey.

While a big win was always on the cards for the Bulldogs who had beaten the Roosters 54-4 back in round one on April 27, the Bulldogs could have won by 60 points in less than 80 minutes last Sunday and invoked the ‘mercy rule’ had they been more polished and ruthless.

The Bulldogs nonetheless maintained a share of equal-second place on the ladder while being ahead of North Tamworth and Boggabri on points differential.

Following a wayward start to the game, the Bulldogs posted the first try around the 10-minute mark when halfback Sam Taylor threw an inside pass to front-rower KC Edmonds who powered through several attempted tackles to score near the posts.

Gibson broke through in the next set and sent fullback Dylan Lake running to score at the uprights and make the score 12-0.

Back-to-back tries to Mckye Tucknott were followed by a try to Gibson to make the score 28-0 in the 27th minute, before errors crept in.

Hayne skewed a kick out on the full, before a mistake from Jared Heinrich on a kick return resulted in a try to Kootingal-Moonbi’s Blake Russell.

Gibson fumbled the ball a couple of times, including when he threatened to score another try. Lake made a dangerous run, but then the Bulldogs squandered possession as they needlessly tried to force the play.

Gibson and Lake set up a try for second-rower Wil Patterson in the shadows of half-time, enabling the hosts to lead 34-6 at the break.

The Bulldogs failed to complete their first two sets in the second half, before a try each to Lake and Gibson stretched the scoreline to 46-6 at the 50-minute mark.

Following a couple more handling mistakes from the home side, Roosters lock Marshall Field pierced a yawning gap to score at the uprights.

Gunnedah faltered again before a try to Ryley Mackay raised the team’s half-century of points in the 62nd minute, and then the Bulldogs were penalised in possession.

Moments later, Hayne was sent off after the ball-carrier was lifted above the horizontal position before landing dangerously.

The next try was comical, involving a ‘Falcon’. A spinning pass from Taylor cannoned forward off the head of second-rower Aidan Davis before Sunia Naruma fielded the loose ball and touched down.

A converted try to Nick White made the score 60-12 with six minutes left, before Sam Molyneux scored for the Roosters.

The Bulldogs had the final say on full-time, as Sunia Naruma caught a kick in a contest in the in-goal area and touched down.

In reserve grade, Gunnedah clung to an anxious 20-18 lead before scoring in the final 15 seconds to seal a 26-18 victory and maintain fifth place on the points table.

Gunnedah’s three men’s teams trek to Boughton Oval to contest the Moree Boars this Sunday, with the U18s coming off a bye.