The Christchurch Bulldogs reaffirmed themselves as the form team of the competition, outclassing the Eastern Blues by 90 points in their fourth round clash at Northwood Park.
In a physical encounter the Bulldogs extended their lead every quarter and turned around their inaccurate kicking display the week before to finish the game with a score of 23.12.145 while the Blues could only manage 8.6.54.
Particularly impressive in front of goal was the flame haired best on ground, Izaak “Ranga” Williams, kicking over half a dozen of the reigning premiers goals. His lethal left boot finished off several well worked moves starting from the backline and using the midfield to great effect.
“I kick them for you boys. You do all the work and I put them through,” Williams said, acknowledging the team efforts.
The Bulldogs were put under pressure right from the first bounce after the Blues won the opening centre clearance and kicked a goal within a minute of the start of play. The physicality of the Blues heaped pressure on some of the younger pups but that was partially released with a spectacular mark and goal in the second quarter to one of the more experienced Bulldog players that helped push the lead out to a comfortable six goal lead at the half time break.
The niggling continued well into the game and erupted in the final quarter when two melee’s broke out, resulting in one player being ejected after the final siren for running in.
A low scoring game in the battle for second place saw the Cougars have too much fire power for the Eagles in the end to earn a hard fought 7.10.52 to 3.11.29 victory.
The match of the round saw the Students make use of their superior fitness to close out the second half after going into the long break with only a one point lead, scoring their third win out of four games and now sitting eight points clear on the ladder from the ever improving Eagles.
The two results set up a crucial top of the table clash next week between the unbeaten Bulldogs and the second placed Cougars, which is looking to be a likely Grand Final come season’s end. The smart money is on the pace setting Doggies to continue their winning ways, but not without some stiff resistance from their ancestral rivals.
By Wayne Sullivan
Last Modified on 19/09/2011 20:00