Strength at the breakdown, line speed and dominance of set pieces - Bulldogs were a class above the students in the opening game of the 2017 first grade season.

CSU did lift in the final 20 minutes and finally strung together some good phases to earn a try, but at that stage they trailed by almost 50 points. 

It was June 2012 that CSU last managed to topple the Bulldogs and if they are to end the winning streak of their Bathurst rivals later this season, have plenty to improve upon.

Likewise, Bulldogs co-coach Nathan Pearce saw things he wants his men to improve on as the season unfolds.

“We’ve got a bit to work on, but that’s a great result first up,” he said

“The energy levels were good, a few of the boys were sucking in the long ones at the end of the half, but it was a good start. It’s a long race and we’ve still got things to work on, but I’m happy with how that went.”

CSU did make a promising start to the encounter as they forced Bulldogs into touch from the kick-off, won the resulting line-out, then drew a penalty in front of the sticks.

Jack Keppel piloted his kick between the uprights to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

But it did not take long for the Bulldogs to reply, Peter Fitzsimmons scoring in the sixth minute after a passage of play that highlighted the difference between the Bathurst rivals.

CSU had a scrum feed 10 metres out from their line after drawing an error from Bulldogs, but the hosts put on a big drive from the set play to win the ball, force the students back and pick up a five-pointer.

Bulldogs’ second try came from a pick and drive after pilfering CSU line-out ball, while they were just as dangerous when quickly spreading the ball through their back line from set plays.

Kurt Weekes, Brad Glasson, Izaak Breen and Harry Webber all crossed, with Weekes booting four conversions for a 31-3 lead at half-time.

It took just 39 seconds after play resumed for Fitzsimmons to add another, and by the time the game hit the hour mark, Bulldogs led 51-3.

But CSU did show fight as they lifted for the back end of the match, fullback Lachie Robinson and inside centre Dom Huggett both going close before substitute Sam Gibson bullied his way over between two defenders.

Adam Plummer scored after the siren to seal Bulldogs’ win, but Pearce acknowledged CSU’s effort.

“We are very pleased, but I feel it is not a fair indication of how much work CSU did out there,” he said. “They had absolutely no possession in the first half, our boys took it off them at set pieces and took it off them at the breakdown, so credit to our guys for that and credit to CSU, they really came back at us in the second half.”