Bathurst Bulldogs overcame a slow start against hosts Dubbo Rhinos on Saturday to keep their undefeated start to the Blowes Clothing Cup season intact.
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Bulldogs ran away 51-5 winners in a physical clash, which saw two yellow cards shown to Rhinos players for high shots in the opening half.
The lack of discipline from the Rhinos, plus the improved rugby from the visitors, quickly saw the score spiral out of control following the break.
Bulldogs co-coach Nathan Pearce said the Rhinos came out with plenty to offer in the opening stages.
“It was a tough day at the office. We were on the end of a few high shots but to our boys’ credit they stuck to their game,” he said.
“The score was stuck at 5-all at one stage but we did well to get away.”
Chris Plunkett and Scott Johnston were on the receiving end of the two dangerous Rhinos hits, the first coming with the score at 15-5.
It didn’t faze the visitors one bit.
Bulldogs put on four tries in the opening half and continued to apply the damage when the two teams returned to the field.
Plenty of Bulldogs players stood tall in their seventh straight win to start the season.
“Sean Fogarty scored two tries for us and picked up our three points. Peter Fitzsimmons picked up two. Both of them showed a lot of leadership out there,” Pearce said.
“Sam Roberson lead strongly as well. He was coming back into the team pretty much of his deathbed after a virus.”
Pearce had plenty of confidence his men would be able to weather the early storm from the hosts.
“We could see they were getting worn down and wouldn’t be able to keep the intensity up, but to their credit they continued to get off the line well all game,” he said.
“We cleared the bench with 10 minutes left to go and all of our bench players did very well.”
Bulldogs now face big tests against Forbes Platypi and Orange Emus.
Emus ran out 101-0 winners over Parkes Boars on Saturday.
BATHURST BULLDOGS 51 def DUBBO RHINOS 5
