Wyong Roos continued their unbeaten run in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW with a 24 to 6 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown at Morry Breen Oval.
Wyong received from the kick-off and ran into a strong wind in the first half. The rain held off for the entire half and the sun came out making conditions very humid and sticky for both teams.
Wyong had the first chance of the game but Bulldogs fullback Josh Bergamin was there to save the day.
The Roos were enjoying the majority of possession early but the Bulldogs' defence held solid until Paul Carter busted through a gap. On the next play Jayden Nikorima tried to dart over but again the Bulldogs held the Roos out.
Canterbury-Bankstown lost hooker Craig Garvey after 10 minutes while defending on their line. Back-to-back penalties got the Bulldogs out of trouble and they started to look good with more of the ball forcing a repeat set midway through the first half.
Moments later Canterbury almost scored, only for the bounce of the ball beating three Bulldogs attackers.
Wyong were under pressure, defending four sets in a row for in their own 20-metre zone, but they came up empty-handed. It was good Rugby League from both teams with some attacking flair and some heavy contact dished out.
Something had to give, and it would be the Bulldogs' defence with Carter barging his way over the line. Josh Mantellato converted the try to give the Roos a 6-0 lead.
From the restart, the Bulldogs kicked out on the full and the Roos almost had their second try shortly after but the blue-and-whites showed resolve to dig themselves out of trouble once again.
Wyong had another crack five minutes from half-time when Luke Sharpe running like a front rower at the line was held up.
Holes were starting to appear in both defensive lines with Lachlan Lewis making a break for Canterbury-Bankstown but he had no support. Wyong then found the line with Jayden Nikorima crossing but referee Mr. Oultram ruled knock on.
Although there was not a feast of points it was still an entertaining half and Wyong would go into the sheds leading 6-0 at the half-time break.
The second half was only four minutes old when Poasa Faamausili scored near the posts making the conversion for Mantellato easy. Roos led 12-0.
The Bulldogs missed a chance to hit back and the Roos made them pay with Faamausili scoring his second try moments later. All of a sudden the game was slipping away from Canterbury and Wyong looked a stronger team with the wind behind their backs.
Garvey returned for the Bulldogs but they lost five-eighth Josh Cleeland with a leg injury. Another blow for the Bulldogs was that they had now used up all of their interchange and there was still 18 minutes to play.
Canterbury were the walking wounded but they were hanging in there and they were soon rewarded with a try to fullback Josh Bergamin. Rhyse Martin converted they try with a great kick into the wind. With just over 10 minutes to go, the Roos lead 18-6.
The Bulldogs, to their credit. kept trying but the Roos regrouped and Brock Gray put the premiership points in the bag with the Roos' fourth and final try of the match five minutes out from full-time. Mantellato kept his 100% record with the boot to make the final score 24-6.
Although the scoreline shows a strong win for the Roos, it must be mentioned that Canterbury did not play overly poorly and easily could have scored more in the second half. Although they are at the wrong end of the table, a win is not far away. Wyong were the better team and deserve their 18-point victory that keeps them on top of the Premiership ladder after three rounds.
Wyong Roos 24 (P Carter, P Faamausili 2, B Gray tries; J Mantellato 4 goals) def Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6 (J Bergamin try; R Martin goal)
