Home side turn on the scoring fireworks as they punish the wounded Sharks.
Cronulla was decimated on Monday night but Canterbury didn’t care – they were in a ruthless mood and ready to make a statement.
Canterbury ran riot at ANZ Stadium, posting seven tries to record a resounding and robust 42-4 win.
It was a victory which ensured rival sides will treat Canterbury with plenty of respect this year.
Canbeterbury opened the scoring when Frank Pritchard strolled over the line, thanks to
a tap-back from Mitch Brown.
Despite further analysis from the video referee the home side played from in front as Trent Hodgkinson slotted a nice conversion from out wide.
Cronulla prop Bryce Gibbs was placed in report in the 12th minute for a high shot on Dale Finucane, however, there was little malice in the shot and the Match Review Committee will likely pass it over for suspension.
Michael Ennis got a dream bounce when his grubber through beat Sharks’ fullback Michael Gordon, allowing the Dogs hooker to clean up the ball and score his side’s second in the 22nd minute.
Hodgkinson got a much easier kick attempt the second time around and the home side extended its lead to 12-0.
The tries continued to come for the Dogs as Chase Stanley scored, thanks in part to some lax defence from the Sharks on their own try-line as the lead grew to three converted tries.
Cronulla’s soft defence continued as Stanley grabbed his second after he glided through a gaping hole.
As a result Canterbury held a commanding 24-point lead at half-time.
Well ahead at half-time, Canterbury scored three second half tries to hammer the poor Sharks.
Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson scored just after halftime to keep his side’s first half momentum rumbling along.
The Bulldogs continued their rampage through the second half to add another 18 unanswered points. Winger Corey Thompson scored a nice try in the 60th minute, his first in the NRL.
Bulldogs 42 (Stanley 2, Pritchard, Ennis, Hodkinson, Thompson, Morris tries, Hodkinson 7 goals) beat Sharks 4 (Wright try)
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