Canterbury Bulldogs win over Parramatta Eels: National Rugby League - Round 20
On Friday, July 22, at ANZ Stadium, Canterbury Bulldogs emerged as winners over Parramatta Eels in a tight clash of 8-7. Canterbury showed strong defence against their opponents, having won only two out of ten games previously, this was definitely a big
win for them. Emerging successfully out of this encounter, Jim Dymock who had filled up as a substitute coach of Bulldogs was granted with his very first National Rugby League (NRL) victory.
Eels had dominated the initial half of the game by keeping their opponents restricted to their own side of the field. Just seven minutes into the game, Etu Uaisele attempted a try which was turned down by the video referee.
Each side had scored a try, where Steve Turner of Bulldogs coverted Josh Reynolds’ try and Luke Burt of Eel converted the Eels’ try by Jarryd Hayne.
Just four minutes away from the full time, Hayne’s goal had made the victory appear so near for Eles. Hayne’s field goal appeared to have melted down the strong opposition but soon it was rebutted in kind by Trent Hodkinson of Bulldogs to even out the scores
to 7-7.
The highlight of this clash was a 41-metre-long golden point goal by Hodkinson which was kicked just two minutes into the extra time granted they snatched away the victory from Eels. A defeat of this kind has struck the Eels twice so far.
Both sides were showing their best form with hosts exhibiting their confidence throughout the game, especially with the strong defence side of theirs. That was coupled with loopholes in visitors’ performance in the wet conditions, which converted their almost
win situation into a defeat.
Dymock acknowledged that he was emotionally strained when Hodkinson sealed the game by his game-winning golden-point goal.
Expressing about his emotional visit after they had won the match, Dymock stated, “I felt like crying, it was like I was playing again it was no better feeling, I was so glad the boys won.To the boys' credit they stuck in there all game and I think they
backed themselves this week, Parramatta had plenty of possession but the boys just stuck it out and it was good to come away with the win."
Commenting on their defeat Stephen Kearney, Coach for the Eels, stated, “There is a lot of deja vu there, it was one of those tight tussles where it didn't look like any side was going to score out there .We got bogged down into a real arm wrestle. I feel
like I am repeating myself, but the lads tried real hard, we are just not quite getting there."
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