The big crowd at Mollymook Oval certainly got their money’s worth as both teams played measured football, counterpointed with flashes of real speed and last ditch defence.

The Bulldogs would have taken the lead part way through the second half had a penalty goal not been missed and a try disallowed. Warilla, on the other side of the ledger, also had a try disallowed.

The Dogs went straight to the lead when cracking prop forward Artie Scott roared onto a Mitchell Klein pass to scream over 10 metres out from the Gorillas’ tryline. When Mick Salafia added the extra, the locals had skipped to a 7th minute 6-0 lead.

The Gorillas opened their account minutes later when a sharp run by skipper Aaron Henry resulted in halfback Manny Sultana flying over, then hooker Nick King barged over to send the visitors ahead 8-6.

The Dogs didn’t do themselves any favours when a dropped ball resulted in Sultana scoring a second at the 25th minute to lead 12-6. Bulldog custodian Lepani Waqa, just before the bell, dived into the nor-western corner after a brilliant one-handed inside pass from winger Andy Riley to give the visitors a narrow 12-10 lead at the break.

The second stanza had all the hallmarks of an old-fashioned Test match, as both sides refused to take a backward step. With the Dogs already down three key players, the loss of Salafia, Waqa and Klein proved decisive in the closing stages.

The Dogs forfeited a penalty goal from near in front at the 54th minute, then missed a penalty shot at the 60th minute before Warilla answered with a 64th minute converted try to push further ahead 18-10.

 As the battle raged for supremacy with players dropping like flies, several stand-out performances were handed in by youngsters Wade Walker and Jayden Millard which resulted in another potent performance from Bulldog prop Artie Scott who rallied the hopes of  Bulldog supporters when he thundered across at the 78th minute. Kirren Roughley made good the extras to finish the contest 18-16.

Jamberoo, Gerringong and Warilla (10) now share the first grade competition lead followed by Shellharbour and Kiama (8), Port Kembla   and Milton-Ulladulla (6), Nowra Jets (4) with Berry, Stingrays and Albion Park (2).

This Sunday, the Dogs play the Stingrays in all four grades at Flinders Field, Shellharbour starting at 10.45 with the WLT team.