The Bulldogs made their way to a wind and rain swept Rochdale missing ten players.

Starting the game without any substitutes and with some players in unfamiliar positions, the Bulldogs made a good start pinning the home team back with good kicking and defence.

The Bulldogs were unfortunate to be pulled for offside with Rochdale opting to kick the goal for the first points after four minutes (3-0).

The Bulldogs hit straight back with a towering kick from Leo bouncing nicely for Ethan C to score his first try under the posts. The conversion was unsuccessful (3-5).

Rochdale hit the front with a controversial try, awarded despite the touch judge appear to signal the player had gone into touch. The conversion was unsuccessful (8-5).

With eleven minutes of the half left, brilliant defence from the Bulldogs forced a five metre scrum which allowed Isaac to go over for a fine team try. The difficult conversion was missed (8-10).

For the second time in the game, the home team got the benefit of a touchline decision with the referee taking the advice of the home team’s coaches when the ball didn’t find touch from a free kick. From the resulting line out Rochdale squeezed over in the corner to edge back ahead. The difficult conversion was successful (15-10).

With Isaac and Leo both leaving the field through injury in the lead up to the try, the game was reduced to thirteen aside.

The game became fragmented with Rochdale capitalising and finding their way to the line again. The conversion was unsuccessful (20-10).

HT: 20-10

With Rochdale loaning the Bulldogs two players, the half resumed with the full compliment of players.

The home team extended their lead with an excellent try after seven minutes. The conversion was successful (27-10).

With the Bulldogs digging deep, an excellent period of possession built a platform for Ethan C to score his second try in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful (27-15).

Rochdale scored next as the weather conditions worsened. The kick was unsuccessful (32-15).

The Bulldogs finished strongly with Jack scoring another fine team try after excellent hands from Tristan and Ethan C. Tristan converted the try (32-22).

This was arguably the Bulldogs best performance of the season, showing excellent resilience and determination.

FT: 32-22