The Mollymook Golf Club first grade Bulldogs suffered their 11^th loss of the season on Sunday, going down 76-6 to the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas at Cec Glenholmes Oval.

Tyler Clark scored the Bulldogs’ only try, converted by PJ Ardler, while the Gorillas were led by by Chad Lisch’s 40 points, which included four tries and 12 goals.

Reserve grade

The Mollymook Golf Club reserve grade Bulldogs chalked up a strong win on Sunday, defeating the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas 26-6.

In the win, the tries were scored by Callum Franchi (two), Charlie Frendo and Matthew Bettington, who also booted five goals in the win.

Unders 18s

Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs’ two highly-placed under 18s and ladies tag teams stamped their respective authority last Sunday against Warilla South-Lake Gorillas at Cec Glenholmes Oval in front of a large crowd.

As joint under 18s leaders with Albion Park with one round remaining in the competition, the Gorillas came out in furious fashion adding two quick tries and a goal to lead 10-nil after 15 minutes of some ruggedness in defence by both sides as the lively first half see-sawed from one length of the field to the other.

The Dogs, sponsored by Hampson Communications, is coached by former Canterbury Bulldogs halfback legend Peter Leffley who fully understands the value of a hardworking pack of forwards.

In this area, the likes of Joel Blayden, Nathan Meridth, Tommy Woodward, Oscar Fitzpatrick, Ben Russell and Coby Roach worked exceptionally hard to establish a platform for victory throughout both stanzas before big Benny Russell at the 22nd minute crashed over after a brilliant Ron Coote type 40 metre burst from the rampaging Meridth. Goal-kicking halfback Tarje Whitford confidently and calmly added the extras from the sideline to narrow the Gorillas lead at 10-6.

With the Dogs forwards gradually grinding away at the Gorillas attack, a dropped ball was quickly seized before the halftime siren bellowed, as both Whitford and partner Jayden Millard raced diagonally to despatch right winger Cruize Turay into the north-eastern corner to level the score 10-all at the break.

Last Sunday’s contest, because of the sustained effectiveness of the tackling, made it the best advertisement for the under 18s  as the competition now rapidly enters into the business end of the season.

Straight after the interval, prop Coby Roach thundered across after darting runs by Shane Carriage and a break from inform hooker Oscar Fitzpatrick sent the Dogs further ahead 14-10 then six minutes later Turay scored his second match try with a scorching individual effort from 60 metres out. 

Whitford potted the extras before Warilla scored a converted try at 20-16. The Dogs then  regathered their focus and Carriage crashed over wide out after Millard made the despatch at the 70th chime. Whitford adding another sensational conversion from the sideline to close the scoring 26-16 in favour of the Dogs.

Women’s League Tag

Milton-Ulladulla Ladies League Tag team under the watchful eye of former Cronulla Sharks NRL legend David Hatch, pushed aside Warilla 60-0 last Sunday and have now rejoined the leading bunch along with Kiama, Stingrays and Jamberoo. Turbo-driven speedster Ebony Murray tore the ground apart scoring four magnificent tries and three goals on the day while team mate Shannon Meridth bagged a couple of tries as goal-shooter Tanika O’Brien kicked four good goals in the encounter.

The Dogs, sponsored by Impact Landscapes, shot to a 24-0 lead at the break after a slicing effort from Meg Buchanan which was quickly followed by Alisha Adams scoring opening tries then Eb Murray, Shannon Meridth and the flying Abby Montgomery raced over after a spirited burst from centre Paige Hegyi straight after the break.

The Warilla girls, although brave and gutsy couldn’t contain the momentum and speed of the Doggies as the dashing Murray scored three sensational runaway tries then Meridth chipped in for her second try after a sharp pass from loose forward Tess Harris prior to pivot Chey Hatch streeting the opposition at the 60th minute.  The only thing left on the ground was for Murray and the eagle-eyed O’Brien to argue over the goals.  

 Meanwhile, this Sunday at Mollymook Oval, commencing at 10.45am the Bulldogs take on Shellharbour Stingrays in all four grades. The two earlier encounters should be thrilling as the WlT Stingrays are equal joint leaders with the Knights and the Dogs have a last minute opportunity to grab second place in the lead-up to the semi-finals in a two weeks time. The under 18s clash between the Dogs and fourth-placed Stingrays commencing at 11.45am is expected to be a close encounter.

History has been written and the 2017 NRMA Batteries & RTB Plumbing U16 girls league tag team is the first Doggies girls team into a grand final.  We have fielded teams in the Group 7 league tag competition since its inception in 2015, with several of the girls in this year’s grand final team also part of that first inaugural Doggies team.

The girls and their supporters travelled just up the highway to Sussex for the girls to take on Stingrays green in the final. The girls where full of confidence going into the game knowing that in the two matches against Green during the regular season they had matched them both times, winning one and narrowly losing in the other match.

The first half proved a tight contest however the Doggies went into the halftime break up 14–6. They came back onto the field in the second half full of momentum and motivation and quickly extended their lead to 24–6 with 18 minutes to go. However the girls from Stingrays did not give up and put on a flurry of points late in the second half. However it was not enough and our Doggies held on to win 26–22.

The try scorers where Alysha Adams, Keele Browne, Meg Buchanan, Alivia Heath, Shannon Meredith and Lily Murdoch with Alivia getting two goals to top off her points tally.

Girls coach Paul Meredith, who has had the core of this group together for a number of years, is thoroughly looking forward to the chance of ending their junior campaigns on a high.

“Heading into the season, there was a good feeling and a sense that this could be the year the girls would do something special,” Meredith said.

“After finishing third the past two seasons, the girls and I were determined to show this was our year.

“During the regular season, we had our highs and lows, as does every team, but the girls’ confidence never wavered.

“In the final couple of weeks, everything has started to click and all the girls’ hard work has paid off.

“Although we lost to the Stingrays a couple of weeks ago, in a close match, the girls didn’t drop their heads and played some of the best football I’ve ever seen them play in the weekend’s semi-final – I just hope that they can reproduce that form I know they’re capable again this weekend.

“My daughter got the team together a number of years ago, after both her two brothers played for the Bulldogs, and to finish as champions with her and the team would be amazing and something I’d cherish forever.”

Our late life member Lyn Anderson who was a huge fan of the girls would no doubt be dancing with delight for these girls. Lyn tried to watch as many girls games as she could and when not able to make a game was always keen to find out the results.

The grand final is being played at Mick Cronin Oval Gerringong at an unusually late time slot for the girls of 12.20pm. They are taking on Stingrays Gold - this is a team that the Doggies can beat on their day with belief in themselves and each other. 

We are encouraging all Doggies supporters to get along to the game and cheer our girls along as they play to write another page in the Doggies history book and be the first Doggies girls team to win a grand final.  Please note an entry fee to the grand final applies for all spectators over 16.

This weekend also sees the last round of the regular season for our international boys teams with all teams (13s, 14s, 15 & 16s) playing at home on Saturday morning, which unfortunately does not permit them to make the trip to cheer the girls on, however they are all behind the girls and will eagerly await updates.  If you are unable to make the trip to Gerringong to watch the girls please consider coming and lending at hand at home as our resources will be limited.

Presentation day has been set for Sunday 24th September at the Sea Salt Function centre at the Ex Servos, this is the first weekend of the school holidays however we are hoping that everyone will be able to attend and show their support and respect to all Doggies for their efforts throughout the season.

Training shorts are now in stock and are also perfect for spending the summer in, they are $30 per pair and we have a large variety of sizes, they are available through the canteen along with other great items of Doggies merchandise especially if you are travelling to cheer on the girls in their grand final, if you are interested in purchasing any items please contact Sharon on 0406 977 101.

Our weekly meat raffles at the Ex Servos continue to surge along and this week we ask for the parents and families of the U15s to come along and support and assist us with the raffles.  Ticket sales commence at 6pm, with the draw for the 40+ meat trays commencing at 7pm. 

By supporting our raffles you in turn are supporting our major sponsors of Ulladulla Ex Servos and Sea Salt Restaurant, the club has lots to offer on Friday night apart from our raffles, there is the kids club, great value meals in the Sea Salt Restaurant, members badge draw and Friday night footy live on the big screen.

The club would like to thank our major sponsors Milton Ulladulla Ex Servos and Stewarts Catering for all their support.  The club looks forward to proudly representing all of our sponsors this season and thank you all for your support of junior rugby league in the Milton Ulladulla area.

Keep up to date on all things Junior Doggies via Facebook and our website.