Bulls Claim First Win of the Season
The Bulls claimed a 42-16 victory over the Warriors at home on Saturday afternoon for their first win of the season.
The Gungahlin Bulls kicked off at home against the West Belconnen Warriors on Saturday afternoon for the Canberra Raiders Cup Match of the Round. Both teams were ready to bounce back from tough losses last week, with the Bulls going down to the Roos while the Warriors were thrashed by the Blues.
After five minutes of hard-hitting play, the Bulls were first to make an impact on the scoreboard. A high intercept by Jesse Croker sent him sprinting down the field and scoring the first try of the match. A successful conversion by Ryan Grocott set the Bulls an early 6-0 lead.
The Bulls continued to look strong, but some minor errors let the Warriors in for a chance inside the 10m. After continuous attacking sets, a grubber by Elliot Whitehead set up Willie Peace perfectly for a try in the corner. Blake Slater evened the score with an easy conversion.
A moment later, the Bulls were back inside the Warriors half for a scrum and ready to fight back. A high kick by Matt Frawley on the last tackle was caught by Kenny Barber and grounded immediately over the line. Another conversion by Grocott left the Bulls back in front 12-6.
Arthur Brown bulldozed through the Bulls defenders to make much-needed ground for the Warriors, who sent the ball across to Jstar Taupau for another four points. Slater converted the try to even the score once again at 12-all.
The Warriors were ready to take the lead before the end of the half. However, a knock-on over the line forced them to hand over the ball. A few tackles later, a Bull’s dropped ball gifted the Warriors a chance at redemption, but they fell short, and the Bulls were ready for another chance.
On the brink of halftime, Frawley sent the ball high again, and Kane Allan scored the final try of the half following a three-man kick chase. Grocott converted the try, and the Bulls went into the second half with a strong 18-12 lead.
The Warriors kicked off the second-half action, desperate to take the lead for the first time in the match. But it was the Bulls who showed up first, as Grocott weaved through the defenders with ease to carry the ball out of his own half. A quick pass to Allan set the winger up with an easy try under the posts. Grocott finished it off with an easy kick to put the Bulls 12 points in front.
The Warriors continued to battle, with a goal-line dropout falling just short and handing the Bulls an extra two points off a penalty kick. West Belconnen came back firing, taking the ball off the kick-off for Canaan Leuluai to power over the line and score. Slater converted the try to make the score 26-16.
Croker was next to score for the home side, grounding the ball over the line after winning an in-air contest. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Bulls 14-points in front. Shortly after, Grocott showed off his quick footwork and agility once again to take the ball under the post himself for another four points. After converting his own try, the Bulls led 36-16.
Allan was back with a kick and chase for the Bulls, but the ball was taken by Noah Marcantonio to score the final try of the match. Grocott nailed the conversion, and the home side finished off with a 42-16 success.
The Gungahlin Bulls took down the West Belconnen Warriors at home in a 42-16 victory. After claiming their first win of the season, the Bulls will be back home next week to follow up against the Queanbeyan Blues. Meanwhile, the Warriors head home to face the Tuggeranong Bushrangers.
