The Kurri Bulldogs claimed a major scalp with a 34-28 win over Real NRL leaders Lakes United Seagulls at Cahill Oval on Saturday.
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It was a signature Kurri comeback, with Lakes leading 28-14 just after half-time.
Since their dream run to the 2013 grand final, 80 per cent of the Bulldogs’ wins have been come-from-behind victories.
A hat-trick by Brad 'Wylie' Manton and a double to Real NRL leading try scorer Ryan Walker (nine tries in nine games) ensured this would be Kurri’s first comeback victory of 2015.
Kurri had a horror start, as Lakes (who had touched up Kurri 40-22 at home in round two) scored an untouched length of the field try within 18 seconds through James Vaka.
However, the Bulldogs fought back to score minutes later through Manton.
Bulldogs young guns Hayden Grainger and Kyle Smith linked through a cross-field bomb for Smith to score in the score to lead 8-6.
A Lochie Hill mistake from the kick-off let Lakes off easy, with Vaka scoring his second try in the corner.
The see-sawing affair continued with Kurri hitting back through Walker, to lead 14-10 after 20 minutes.
This was short-lived, as a loose pass went straight to Lakes winger Marcel Ikinofo to score under the posts and take a 16-14 lead.
Both teams locked horns for the rest of the half until the Seagulls scored at the stroke of half-time, through a Brad Murray banana kick for James Mackin.
Heads started to drop when Ikinofo scored his second for Lakes to lead 28-14.
With Kurri’s season on the line, some individual brilliance from Walker sent Smith into the corner for his second try.
Now 28-18, it was on for all money as Lakes winger Ikinofo was sent off for a knee lift in a tackle attempt from Kurri half-back Grainger, which saw him stretched off.
This sparked Kurri into building some goal-line pressure with repeat sets, scoring in the 62nd minute with Manton’s second try. Mitch Cullen’s wayward boot took a favourable turn, as the conversion volleyed against both posts to go over, trailing 28-24.
Kurri made life hard for themselves again, turning over in the next set. Remarkably, Hill diffused a certain Lakes try – making a 50-metre break charge that allowed Manton to score his hat-trick to hit the lead 30-28.
Moments later, Kurri capitalised from a penalty through veteran prop Mick Campton to lead 34-28 – setting up a grandstand finish.
Kurri prop Peter Cronin and Lakes hooker Chris Adams both went to the sin-bin, and the Bulldogs took the two points and gave their finals hopes a big boost.
Open Age played giant killers with a 30-16 win against a previously undefeated Lakes side – extending their unbeaten run to six games (five wins and a draw).
Kurri’s reserve grade and under-19s were both touched up 42-0 and 52-4 respectively.
The Bulldogs will play Macquarie United Scorpions at home this Saturday in must-win clashes for all grades.
Gates open 10am, with under-19s at 10.50am and first grade kick-off at 3pm (BarTV commentary from Peter Jolly and Matt Petherbridge from 2.50pm).