Kurri Kurri’s legendary graveyard was rocking as the Bulldogs recorded a memorable 24-12 win against Cessnock in the annual Charity Shield on Saturday night.
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The John Sattler Stand and Old Boys Bar at Kurri’s home ground reverberated with the call of “Kurri, Kurri” as the Bulldogs back five pulled off several try-saving tackles to hold the Goannas scoreless in the second half after leading 18-12 going into the break.
Ryan Walker controlled the tempo after half-time with an excellent kicking game from halfback, repeatedly forcing Cessnock to start their sets from inside their own 10.
Terence Seu Seu, in a best on ground performance, repeatedly darting from dummy-half to gain valuable yards and keeping the Goannas’ defensive line guessing with his passing.
The Bulldogs didn’t have it their own way with centre Shaun Metcalf making some damaging runs and scoring the first try of the game with a diving chase, which left Kurri fullback Josh Griffith sliding into the advertising siding on the fence.
The Goannas broke the line several times in the second half, but dropped ball near the line under severe pressure from the Bulldogs cost them any chance of a comeback.
Liam Foran had a strong game in the halves, but his kicking for goal was astray missing all three conversion attempts.
Bulldogs kicker Kade Hardy couldn’t miss, striking the ball well from the sideline and in front to convert Kurri’s four tries.
Bulldogs coach Phil Williams said he was delighted with the team’s overall performance, particularly their game management in the second half on the back of half Walkers’ kicking game.
“Ryan managed the game and then Hayden (Grainger) had a little bit of a brain snap and tried a field goal and that’s not managing the game as it can allow teams back into it,” Williams said.
“Ryan’s running game was a little bit off but the other side of it was spot on, what a quality half does.
”I challenged the back five today and they did well. Cessnock will probably walk away and say some dropped balls cost them, but we had people around the football to put pressure on them.
“A couple of one-on-one tries in the first half on the right and left edge showed they had turned up for each other.”
