FOOTSCRAY withstood a late attacking barrage from Southern Districts to claim a rare 17-12 win on the road at Riviera Reserve in the Victorian Rugby Union Premier 1 Dewar Shield competition on Saturday.
The Bulldogs muscled up in defence as the
Pirates tried everything in their power to cross the try-line in a frantic last five minutes, but the defensive efforts of the visitors were nothing short of sensational.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu could hardly bare to watch as his side dug deep to end a painfully long losing streak at the Seaford venue.
“I was really nervous on the sidelines, but we kept them out,” he said.
“I’m not sure how long it has been since we’ve beaten them at their home ground, but it would be at least 20 years.”
The Bulldogs needed just two tries to claim a win that moves them into third spot on the ladder.
The second of those tries was a stunner from Tim Diack after 15 phases of irresistible team build-up. The Doggies worked the ball to the try-line bit by bit before Diack crossed in the corner.
“We were really patient with the ball,” Naufahu said.
“It was about holding possession, making the opposition defend and eventually it will open up.”
Frank Amituana was the more effective with the ball for the Bulldogs.
He chewed up the metres with his bullocking runs in his first game back after a knee injury.
“He put a bit of life back into our forward pack,” Naufahu said.
“Every time he had the ball, he made metres and pushed the defence on the back foot. He was on fire.”
But this victory was all about the Bulldogs’
in-your-face defence.
Martin Naufahu and Keisuke Yamada were important in organising the line and Diack and Josh Kaifa were the main ones who stopped the Pirates in their tracks with some bone-jarring tackles.
“Those two were the first ones at the breakdown,” Junior Naufahu said.
“They came up with some big tackles at crucial times.”
The Bulldogs hit the road again on Saturday for a meeting with bottom-of-the-table
Melbourne University.
Naufahu says his side will not be taking this one lightly as Uni has been a bit of a bogey side in recent years.
