The Kurri Alfabs Bulldogs bounced back from recent defeats to beat the Port Stephens Sharks 26-12 at Sylvester Real Estate ground on Saturday – a day the club celebrated Justin Peterkin’s 200th first grade game.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Peterkin was presented with an embroidered jumper to mark the occasion. The presentation made by the club’s record holder Phil Williams (270 games), with others present including Peter Brady (253), Paul Romaniuk (211) Danny Linnane ( 211) and Neville Boyes (206), at half time in reserve grade .
The Bulldogs started well early after receiving a second set on the Sharks’ line, and a smart back line movement through Mitch Cullen, then Simon Craig created room for Lachie Hill down the sideline to score out wide.
At the 15-minute mark a good combination of a Jay Stevens pass to Craig and again Hill set the platform for a strong gap run from Dane Thorogood, who scored near the posts off a neat Blake Birch pass.
The Sharks scored out wide after 25 minutes to bring the score to 10-6.
Cullen was disallowed a try in the 30th minute when ruled he failed to ground the ball.
Kurri scored just on half time after a burrowing run from Kurt Gudgeon off after another Stevens offload 10 metres out to make the half-time score 16-6.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, and after a penalty when Stevens and a Sharks forward were each given 10 minutes in the bin for fighting; three tackles later Craig raced through a hole to score off a Cullen pass and extend the lead to 22-6.
A bustling tackle from Cullen saw the Sharks forced to have a line drop and on the third tackle, Birch threw a long cut-out pass to Tim Bennett, who carried two defenders to score out wide and complete the Bulldogs’ scoring.
In the last five minutes the Sharks scored their second try to bring up the final scoreline of 26-12.
Players’ player again went to Ben Wyborn, who continued his outstanding form; the coach’s award went to Simon Craig, and others who performed well were Jay Stevens and redheads Mitch Cullen and Cody Brooks.
Reserve grade scored a good win defeating the Sharks 26-10.
A number of players had strong games; players’ player went to Dean Peterkin on loan from Abermain for the day and coach’s award to veteran prop Scott Hill and another veteran Brett Hedges accepting the awards for the previous who both headed off to work.
The under-18s completed a clean sweep for the day trouncing the Sharks 62-0.
A highlight was four tries to Nick Scott, who continues to look dangerous each game.
Other try scorers were Tom Payne, Jonah Lisiua with a 50-metre effort, front rower Zac Chenery off a brilliant break by Hayden Grainger with a 40-metre run to beat the fullback to score neat the posts, and another try to fullback Kyle Smith.
On a successful ladies’ day, with more than 100 attending in the Old Boys shed, well over $1000 was raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation. The club thanks organisers Lesley Lester and Debbie Hughes for a well-run and successful day.
The Bulldogs have the weekend off due to a weekend set aside for washed out games. Their next game is against Lakes away on Saturday, August 9; and their next home game is against Central the following Saturday, which is also Old Boys Day.