Bulldogs snatch win in thriller

[el magic]

Bulldogs snatch win in thriller

A late Brent Sherwin field goal has secured a tight 25-24 win for the Bulldogs over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Sherwin slotted the field goal three minutes form fulltime from 32 metres to give Canterbury the slimmest of victories after a tense and entertaining clash.
The sides traded tries all night, going into half-time level at 12-all before scoring two tries apiece in the second term.

The Broncos fought hard and were much improved in attack on their recent performances, but still fell just short to record a tough defeat.

Brisbane was still under-strength despite welcoming back Tonie Carroll to five-eighth, while Willie Mason and Matt Utai remained out of action for the Bulldogs.
The home side lost winger Craig Fawley to injury in the early stages but opened the scoring on eight minutes when Brad Thorn made half a break and flicked an offload to Darius Boyd, who dived over in the corner.

Canterbury hit back five minutes later when Luke Patten spun through the Brisbane defence and sent Ben Roberts across.

Broncos halfback Shane Perry then linked up with a charging David Taylor, who crashed over for a try under the posts.

But the hosts' lead was again short-lived as a long ball from Sherwin opened up a gap out wide, with Daryl Millard putting Hazem El Masri over out wide.
El Masri landed the conversion from five metres inside the touchline to lock up the scores at 12-all at half-time.

Brisbane had enjoyed a 6-1 penalty count in the first half and another penalty after the break edged the hosts in front as Corey Parker kicked his third goal of the night.
Perry stretched the Broncos further ahead when he slipped through a gap and beat Patten to the corner-post to dive over.

Trailing by six, the Dogs piled on the pressure, and they drew level when Roberts took a pass from Sherwin and put the foot down to get over the line for his second try.
An error from Justin Hodges again put Brisbane on the defensive, and the Bulldogs took the lead for the first time as Patten went over with 12 minutes left.

Corey Parker then burst down the left and sent a grubber kick ahead, and Taylor chased hard and pounced on the loose ball to score his second. Parker then converted another tough conversion to draw level yet again.

Sherwin was given a great chance for the match-winning field-goal, taking the ball right in front of the posts on the last tackle, and the halfback made no mistake to get the kick on target and give his side a narrow victory.

Spoiler: Point scorer's

Bulldogs 25
Tries: Roberts 2, El Masri, Patten
Conversion: El Masri 4
Field goal: Sherwin
Broncos 24
Tries: Taylor 2, Boyd, Perry
Conversions: Parker 3
Penalty goal: Parker

Source: www.sportal.co.nz