Bathurst Bulldogs sent a warning to rival sides on Saturday, keeping the Cowra Eagles scoreless in round four Blowes Clothing Cup action.
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The Bulldogs ran in five tries throughout the 80 minutes at the Cowra Rugby Grounds, the 31-0 result their fourth straight victory.
Considering they were missing some of their best players, coach Nathan Pearce praised the commitment of his troops.
“It was really good. The boys are building quite well,” Pearce said before talking about the Dogs’ defence. It’s going to continue to be a focus for us. We’re very pleased that there was no gaps made in the middle today.”
The Dogs slowly wore down the Eagles in the opening half, posting three tries before the break to hold a 19-point advantage.
Five-eight Scott Johnston crossed twice and Riley Hanrahan grabbed one while Bradley Glasson knocked over two conversions.
We’re down a few players but the boys are really putting their hands up and putting pressure on the guys we consider top players."
- Nathan Pearce
Both sides spent 10 minutes of the second half with 14 men after Jeremy Montgomery and Samuel Roberson were given a spell as a result of a brawl.
The Dogs added a further two tries in a clinical final 20 minutes, courtesy of Adam Geal who scored both.
Pearce identified Scott Johnston and youngster Dylan Carter as outstanding.
“Dylan Carter and Scott Johnston turned out great games. We’re down a few players but the boys are really putting their hands up and putting pressure on the guys we consider top players. It’s giving us so selection headaches but it’s a good problem to have.
“We got the Roos next week we’ve been desperate not to think about it this week. It’s going to be a big challenge.”
Eagles captain Tim Berry said he expected a tough challenge. However, Berry was impressed with his team’s second half.
“We knew it was going to be tough. They’re on top of the ladder and they are there for a reason. We knew we had to come out with a game-plan but they came out guns blazing unfortunately and it was a bit too much,” Tim Berry said.
“Credit to our guys our defence in the second half only letting two tries in when we were camped in our own half shows the determination and ticker of the boys.
“We’re a side that’s going to be there or thereabouts. Instead of taking steps backwards after losing the first couple we just have to make sure we’re taking steps forwards.”
