14 Mar 2015

Bulldogs top Parramatta for first win

12:28 pm on 14 March 2015

Two tries each from Sam Perrett, Brett Morris and Curtis Rona have delivered Canterbury their first win of the NRL season.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Bulldogs turned on the power to defeat Parramatta 32-12 at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

After falling behind 12-8 shortly after half-time due to two tries to Manu Ma'u, Perrett crossed twice in five minutes to regain the ascendancy for the Bulldogs in the 56th minute which they never relinquished.

A 74th minute four-pointer for Morris, on top of his 21st minute effort, sealed the round two match for the Dogs after their first up loss to Penrith.

Rona's final effort two minutes from time came on top of his 11th minute opener.

The loss soured for the Eels by a knee injury to Semi Radradra who is set for around a month on the sidelines.

Tepai Moeroa (shoulder), Chris Sandow (ankle) and Beau Champion (knee) are also injury concerns for the Eels.

Morris was a dynamo for the Dogs out wide, his feats matched up front from the hard-running Ma'u who broke the game open early in the second half after the Dogs led 8-0 at the break before 28,876 fans.

But all the tackling Parramatta were forced to do early on in the match fatigued them badly at the back end.

After a deluge of possession in the first 10 minutes, eight straight sets and 81 per cent, Rona opened the scoring out wide off a lovely long ball from Moses Mbye.

Canterbury surged further ahead 10 minutes later when Morris sliced his way over.

Parramatta then worked their way back in the game, with Radradra scoring in the 34th minute.

The Fijian then went down after being bundled into touch by Josh Jackson.

Danny Wicks returned to the NRL for the first time in five years 10 minutes before halftime and was strong throughout in defence and attack.

Meanwhile, Ben Barba failed to fire against his old side as Brisbane opened their account for the NRL season with an unconvincing 10-2 win over Cronulla at Remondis Stadium.