CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 60 SYDNEY ROOSTERS 14
IT WAS the day Josh Morris crossed for four tries, emerging star Ben Barba grabbed a hat-trick and the Sydney Roosters were dismissed as “embarrassing” after missing 53 tackles.
Most importantly, it was the day Canterbury-Bankstown kickstarted their spluttering 2010 campaign.
After successive losses, Bulldog optimists thought their side could beat the undefeated Roosters. But no one anticipated a 60-14 scoreline.
The Bulldogs’ biggest win over their long-time rivals stunned them as much as it did the Roosters, who were truly appalling.
The Canterbury juggernaut was on a roll yesterday and everything the Roosters tried to stop it failed miserably.
The try avalanche started in the 10th minute and didn’t stop until another 11 had been racked up.
Thankfully for the Roosters, Canterbury goalkicker Bryson Goodwin landed just six conversions.
Morris scored in the 10th, 21st, 30th and 61st minutes to bring his try tally to 12 in his past six games at ANZ Stadium.
Barba came off the bench to show his stunning zip, while big centre Jamal Idris was powerful out wide.
The more the Roosters tried to fight from their rut, the worse things became. The Bulldogs are back. And how.
“It was a nice win after a couple of losses,” Canterbury coach Kevin Moore said. “There was a little pressure externally but I wasn’t concerned about how we were going.
“It was nice to get our first win on the board, the way we played and the attitude we showed.
“It shows there is a fair bit of spirit in the place. We didn’t lose any faith.
“But it’s on again next week and we have to bring that same determination and attitude.
“There are still parts of our game we need to improve.”
After consecutive wins to start the season, the Roosters had their confidence shattered yesterday in a Bulldogs ambush. The match was as good as over when Canterbury led 16-0 after 21 minutes.
The Roosters, who lost centre Phil Graham and prop Jason Ryles before the game, scored twice to start the second half but the mini comeback ended when Idris surged over for his second try 10 minutes into the second half.
Showing the ruthlessness that took them to within one game of last year’s grand final, Canterbury scored three more tries in the final 15 minutes.
“It has been well documented that we haven’t played well in the past two weeks,” said Dogs winger Steve Turner, who scored two tries.
“We knew we had to do the things that work for us. Hopefully this has kickstarted our season. We have to cherish this win.”
Idris said he had heard criticism surrounding his early-season form.
“Of course you hear it,” he said. “That is people’s opinion. You have to show them differently. There is a lot more in me.”
The Roosters’ energy levels were low, their enthusiasm even lower.
“There are the obvious things – disappointment, embarrassment,” Roosters coach Brian Smith said.
“We didn’t persevere and stick at it longer. It was disappointing.
“But I think we will respond well. As glum as today is, I have seen teams turn things around.”
Each time Dragons winger Brett Morris scores, brother Josh fires back.
They are try-scoring freaks, with Josh notching 38 in his past 34 games.
Asked about Josh, Moore said: “Outstanding. He stood up and was really hungry. His brother put the challenge to him and he responded.”
Perhaps playing three straight Sundays in hot conditions made the Roosters weary.
“They probably looked tired at stages,” Canterbury skipper Andrew Ryan said.
Smith said he had tried to tell the media the Roosters were not world-beaters – but the media didn’t listen.
We will after yesterday.
BULLDOGS 60 (J Morris 4 B Barba 3 J Idris 2 S Turner 2 A Ryan tries B Goodwin 6 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 14 (B Anasta B Jones M Pearce tries T Carney goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Jason Robinson, Bernard Sutton. Crowd: 19,738.
Tags:Bulldogs, Jamal Idris, Josh Morris, Roosters