BATHURST Bulldogs were unable to hold out a resurgent Dubbo Kangaroos in their Blowes Clothing Cup match on Saturday, as the hosts overcame an 11-point half-time deficit to win 27-21 at No.1 Oval on Saturday.
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In a match played with intense passion by both teams after the passing of legendary local rugby figure Ken Laird during the week, the hosts gave away an almost farcical 14 penalties in the opening 40 minutes.
The visitors capitalised, with an Adam Miles try and three penalties helping them to a 16-5 lead at half-time.
A few stern words from the Roos’ coaching staff obviously sunk in as tries to Luke Ryan and Hamish Gordon somehow put the blue-and-reds in front 17-16.
Gordon then slotted a penalty goal to extend the buffer to four points but Bathurst hit back through Jack Roberson to take a 21-20 lead into the final 14 minutes.
But in the twinkling of an eye, Ryan’s second try handed the hosts back the lead, which they wouldn’t let go despite Bulldogs parking on their opponents’ try line for the final five minutes of the contest.
The victory handed the Ken Laird Cup to the Dubbo side, and captain Shaun McHugh said he was pleased with the resilience shown by his troops.
“It was a massive effort,” he said.
“We just didn’t show up in the first half, you could see it, you could feel it out there.
“We were trying to implement things that we just couldn’t get going. We gave away 14 penalties in the first half, and after a few stern words and a few honest truths at half-time we were able to bring it home in the second half, which is great.
“If they’d scored first (after half-time), the game isn’t over but it’s an uphill battle but our forwards stood up in and our backs reaped the rewards of that.”
Bulldogs captain Scott Johnston, while proud of his side’s effort in the wake of a difficult week, said the period after half-time was crucial.
His side was left to lament a period where they had a man advantage but were unable to capitalise while Roos got back into the contest.
“It’s always physical, and played in the right spirit, and it was played for a great bloke today so I think it was up to expectations,” he said.
“I think after half-time they maybe came out with a bit more enthusiasm and got a bit of luck where we missed a couple of tackles, which got their confidence up.
“We just didn’t step up straight after half-time.
“Hopefully we do meet each other in the finals because they’re always great games. Hopefully we can keep our form going and get another shot at them down in Bathurst.”
Both McHugh and Johnston also took time out to pay tribute to Laird in the aftermath of a great day of rugby.
“Ken Laird was a great man on and off the field, and I thought this was a great game played in the right spirit for him,” Johnston said.
“This is the first one he’s not here to present, which is a bit rare,” McHugh said.
“We lost the trophy down in Bathurst earlier in the year so it’s good to reclaim it here on home turf this week.”
Bulldogs beat Kangaroos 30-15 earlier this season.
