Lowly-placed Canterbury-Bankstown gave the Vodafone Warriors a forgettable trip to Sydney with a 28-0 shutout in today’s 13th-round New South Wales Cup encounter at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Bulldogs boasted just two wins going into the match and sat just one point off the bottom of the ladder although when the two teams met at Eden Park in April the Vodafone Warriors eked out an 18-14 victory in a tight tussle.
Coming off successive wins over Manly, North Sydney and Newcastle had a shot at four straights victories and a chance to climb into the top four.
Working against them was the unavailability of regulars Tuimoala Lolohea and Charles Gubb – both in Perth with the NRL squad – and injured prop Nathaniel Peteru.
Another influence proved to be a heavy penalty count which ran to 8-3 in the Bulldogs’ favour through the key phase of the contest. It served to give the home side a decisive edge in possession and territory.
The Vodafone Warriors stayed right in the match in the first half and might well have been on at least level terms had they accepted a couple of opportunities.
As it was, the match was more than 20 minutes old before Bulldogs prop Lloyd Perrett scored the first and only try of the opening 40 minutes.
After the break the effects of the penalty count and the defensive workload told on the Vodafone Warriors, enabling the Bulldogs to grind them down with four tries while also keeping the visitors scoreless.
Despite the loss the Vodafone Warriors remain sixth although their previously healthy points for and against differential took a heavy hit.
Their next clash against Cronulla next Saturday is a home game away from home and one which will create a slice of history with Gisborne becoming a first-time venue for a New South Wales Cup game.
Match details | Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Canterbury-Bankstown 28 (David Minute 2, Lloyd Perrett, Lachlan Burr, Harlan Alaalatoa tries; Patrick Templeman 4 conversions).
Vodafone Warriors 0.
Halftime: 6-0 Bulldogs.
Referee: Jeff Hartup.
Vodafone Warriors: Steve Waetford (c); Jarrod Tua, Dane Nielsen, Dominique Peyroux, Solomone Kata; Carlos Tuimavave, Sam Cook; Upu Poching, Michael Sio, Abraham Papalii; Agnatius Paasi, Raymond Faitala Mariner; John Palavi. Interchange: Michael Ki, David Bhana, Albert Vete, Daniel Palavi.
