Match Report: Jersey Flegg Round 25 vs Bulldogs

The Bulldogs struck early through winger Jordi Mazzone, who crossed in the right corner, before a Bailey Myers short ball sent Sosefo Finau over.

Dogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben then showed his individual class, dummying his way through the line and pushing the visitors out to a three-try advantage inside the opening quarter.

Wests Tigers finally sparked to life midway through the first half when halfback Max Liles dummied and stepped his way over in a superb solo effort.

Moments later, back-rower Solomone Saukuru used his power close to the line to crash over and cut the margin further.

Canterbury weren’t done though, and another try to Mazzone just before the break gave him a double and the Bulldogs a 20-10 half-time lead.

The visitors started the second half in the same fashion they began the first.

Fullback Latrell Fing sliced through the line on a long kick return before offloading to Mazzone, who raced away to complete his hat-trick.

Reuben soon added his second try with another incisive step to stretch the Bulldogs’ lead, and when centre William Afualo strolled over with less than ten minutes remaining, Canterbury looked out of sight at 38-18.

But this Tigers side is never short on spirit, and they produced a remarkable late rally that nearly stole the game.

Teenage winger Jack Nicholas scored first with a determined finish in the corner, before Liles threw a brilliant cut-out pass for Tino Tavana to acrobatically touch down; another highlight for the winger after signing a new deal during the week.

Lenny Plati then barged over from a Jared Haywood short ball, and in the final minutes, Max Taotua and Logan Brookes both crossed as the home side piled on 14 points in a frantic three-minute spell.

On the last play of the match, the Tigers still had one last possession to tie the game from 40 metres out, but the Bulldogs scrambled desperately to hold on and secure a narrow win.

It was a brave and exciting performance from Wests Tigers, who finished with seven tries to Canterbury’s seven, but goal kicking ultimately proved costly.

Still, there were plenty of positives, with Haywood’s creativity around the ruck, Liles’ control in attack, and strong contributions from Saukuru and Tavana all standing out.

Bulldogs 38 (Mazzone 3, Reuben 2, Finau, Afualo tries; Reuben 5/7 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 32 (Liles, Saukuru, Nicholas, Tavana, Plati, Ma. Taotua, Brookes tries; Tavana 2/7 goals) at Lidcombe Oval.