DISCIPLINE may have left a lot to be desired, but when it came to defence Bathurst Bulldogs had the answers on Saturday to post a 27-14 win over Orange City.
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Despite a 19-9 penalty count against them, the only try Bulldogs conceded in the Blowes Clothing Cup match at Ashwood Park came in the final play of the match.
Other than that, the only way the Lions found points was off the boot of Keegan Harding after being penalised for infringements.
Both number 8 Peter Fitzsimmons and lock Brendan Nelson spent time on the sidelines after being yellow carded, as did City duo Brenton Young and Keith Lawson in the second half.
“I am very happy with our defence again, expect for that last try which was somewhat frustrating,” Bulldogs co-coach Nathan Pearce said.
“Last week we were the other way around on the penalty count. I don’t think we reacted well to a bit of pressure today, it is certainly something to work on.
“There were a couple of bits of ill-discipline there which was frustrating, but a lot of penalties came from the back row going at the ball and I don’t mind them.”
Chasing their third win of the season, Bulldogs were under pressure for most of the opening half as City enjoyed a bulk of the possession, much of which was inside the 22.
However, it was Bulldogs who opened up a lead that their rivals were not able to reel in.
First points came with a Kurt Weekes penalty goal in the 14th minute before Harry Webber found space down the left wing and linked with Sam Roberson in support.
He scored under the sticks and Weekes converted to make it 10-0.
City’s only points of the half came from a Harding penalty goal after Nelson was yellow carded for repeated infringements.
Harding booted two more penalties early in the second half to move City within one point of the lead at 10-9, but that’s as close as they got.
When Adam Geal scored with 14 minutes left and fellow centre Roberson crossed soon after, it was clear victory belonged to the hosts.
Weekes converted both of those and booted another penalty before Young scored City's late consolation.
“We had a lot of ball early on and we didn’t execute, we didn’t take our opportunities,” City coach Steve Hamson said.
“We missed a lot of first up tackles, our defensive line was either not moving forward or sort of staggered, so we were letting them make breaks through the middle of us and they’re the hardest ones to try and pull back.
“I thought our set piece was good, our scrum was good against what I think is a heavy and more experienced pack. So we did well there, but in general play, our breakdown height, they were lower than us all day.”
BATHURST BULLDOGS 27 (Sam Roberson 2, Adam Geal tries; Kurt Weekes 3 conversions; Kurt Weekes 2 penalties) defeated ORANGE CITY 10 (Barton Young try; Keegan Harding 3 penalties)
