MILTON-ULLADULLA Bulldogs gave an audacious display of sensational attacking backline play by trouncing Albion Park-Oak Flats 46-18 last Saturday night in an eight try blitz at Mollymook Oval.
It was an awesome display from the Dogs and unquestionably their best performance of the season.
They played to the hilt, timed their runs to the split second and measured their passes to the millimetre.
The question now begs, can the Dogs repeat that effort this Saturday against favourites Gerringong at Michael Cronin Oval?
Against the Eagles, the Dogs drew first blood when a high kick from pivot Luke Young cannoned into the arms of impressive second rower Sean Lynch to score.
Three minutes later another lightning pass from the scrum base by half-back Geoff Johnson found Young putting his brother Travis Young into a yarning gap and after the extras were potted the Dogs had shot to a 12-0 lead.
Finishing off three sets of tackles, the Eagles momentarily clawed their way back into the game at 12-6 after crack half-back Matt Carroll converted his own try.
From that point onwards, it was all downhill for the visitors as Bulldog skipper Shaun Wessel took play strongly across the ground to find half-back Geoff Johnson tearing up the eastern corridor to finally dispatch front rower Tim Sloman with a beautifully timed cut out pass.
Eleven minutes later, a clearing kick from Carroll was charged down by lock forward AJ Hatch who regathered the bouncing football to sprint 30 metres to score. Moment’s later, outstanding rake Adam Stone had the Eagles defence in sixes and sevens when he dashed into open space on a weaving run to send centre Travis Young bounding for his second match try.
Luke Young added all the extras from all parts of the ground in the blustery conditions to lead 30 - 6 at half-time.
Straight after the break, the barn-storming Sloman went in for his second converted try after a Wessel unload.
The Dogs then fell asleep at the wheel when the Eagles added two converted tries from Carroll and five-eighth Matt Leadbeater to make it 36 - 18.
The locals woke from their slumber with custodian Tommy Cook brilliantly hitting the accelerator to send centre Travis Young in for his third try.
Finally, in the dying minutes of the one-sided encounter Sloman crashed over for his third try after replacement forward Carl Warburton miraculously regathered a clearing kick one-handed to send Sloman on his way to finish the game 46-18.
For the aficionados, the sight of deep angular positioned halves with three- quarters coming onto the ball flat out from fast service will always bring a smile as it provides tries by the truck load and respective headaches for any opposition.
This Saturday at Michael Cronin Oval, the third-placed Dogs take on second-placed Gerringong at 2.45pm.
With only a point separating the two sides, it will be a tough game and a huge crowd is expected to witness the litmus test.
In other VB South Coast Group Seven First grade results, Gerringong defeated leaders Warilla 32-16 after leading 20-0 at half-time.
Berry Magpies sprung an upset by downing Jamberoo 20-12 after Berry led 14-6 at the break.
Currently, Warilla (13) still leads the competition from Gerringong (12), Milton and Jamberoo (11), Albion Park (9), Batemans Bay (6), Berry (4) and Kiama (2).
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RESERVE GRADE
The continuing weekly rise up the Reserve grade competition table by the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs is starting to ring alarm bells after they soundly defeated Culburra-Greenwell Point last Saturday 34-0.
In another runaway six-try victory, the Dogs have now moved into equal third place and as hard the Pirates chased and tackled, the Dogs always had another exit route planned.
The halves combination of half-back Mick Salafia and Clinton Millard was the major key to the victory as Salafia, sturdy and unflinchingly clever, did all that was necessary and left all the rest to his skipper Millard to accumulate points.
Millard opened the first stanza with two solo converted tries before Salafia dummied his way across after bursts from forwards Steve Goodman and Damien Boyle, giving ageing warrior Adam Costa the conversion.
Going into the break at 18-0, the Dogs came out snarling when lightweight lock forward Damien Boyle swiftly darted over.
Six minutes later, three important charges from prop Danny Beauchamp, centre John Doyle and the ever present Salafia made way for experienced back rower Matt Williams to cross over just wide of the southern uprights.
At the 64th minute, the combined efforts of young fullback Kyle Elwin, winger John Harrod and the nimbly-footed Millard saw the wily Salafia skirt one way, then dart the other to cleverly conjure a try, moving around two defenders to post his second match try to close the scoring at 34-0.
This Saturday at 1.15pm, the locals take on Gerringong at Michael Cronin Oval in another critical encounter.
In a tightly grouped competition, losses at this stage of the season can be catastrophic for sides hoping to cement their top-five chances.
Currently, Berry (16) leads the competition from Jamberoo (14) with Milton, Warilla, Kiama and Gerringong (10), Shoalhaven Jets (9), Albion Park (8), Bay Basin (6), Batemans Bay (4) and Culburra (2).
UNDER 18s
Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs Under 18s rugby league side continue to comprehensively lead the competition after downing a valiant Albion Park-Oak Flats 72-0 last Saturday afternoon in ideal conditions.
The game quickly became one-sided when the savage Dogs showed their authority by running-in four tries in twenty minutes.
Rake Nick Goodman raced in for his eighth try of the season prior to back rower Dale Hammond scoring his first of two tries and centre Lachlan Moore adding two first half tries from a total of five tries for the game and the injured Matt Hayman potted a goal.
Winger Jesse Piekar scored a try and added five goals before the Dogs led 30-0 at halftime.
The second half was all one way traffic as ringmaster Wes Ring hurriedly directed most of the play that witnessed fullback Blake Mackey, prop Tim Price and winger Jason Linke score entertaining tries and able replacements, Jayde Tooth, Richie Jackson and Hayden Baxter darting over for second-half tries.
This Saturday at Michael Cronin Oval, the Dogs face Gerringong at 11.45am and the Lions must win this game if they are to remain a contender.
Presently, Milton-Ulladulla (18) leads the premiership race from Berry (14), Kiama (13), Warilla (11), Gerringong and Batemans Bay (7), Albion Park and Culburra (6) with Shoalhaven Jets (2).
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