In a disappointing opening match against the Warriors, the Bulldogs faced a heavy defeat, ending with a scoreline of 34-6. The team also had to contend with injuries to both of their key halves, leaving coach Brayden Wiliame anxiously awaiting news on their status. The most concerning injury was that of captain Tayla Preston, who had to be assisted off the field on a stretcher after appearing to injure her knee during a tackle.
Preston clutched her knee painfully after being caught in an awkward position, and her injury drew the attention of commentators, including Ruan Sims, who expressed concern for her well-being and remarked on the unfortunate nature of the incident. Just moments before Preston’s exit, Ashleigh Quinlan had also left the field, adding to the team’s injury woes; however, the details of her injury remain unclear.
Despite the scoreline, not all was bleak for the Bulldogs. They managed to register one try and committed fewer errors compared to their opponents, a possible silver lining in an otherwise challenging outing. The Warriors took control early, with Payton Takimoan scoring first, followed by Patricia Maliepo, who showed impressive strength to score after breaking through several defenders.
As the match progressed, the Bulldogs faced mounting challenges, being unable to contain the Warriors’ offensive prowess. Despite this, a brief respite occurred when Kalosipani Hopoate was able to score for the Bulldogs amidst the Warriors’ growing errors and penalties.
The second half saw the Warriors extend their dominance with a remarkable try from Tysha Ikenasio, who managed to touch the ball just before it went out of play. The try was confirmed after a bunker review, showcasing the thin margins that can dictate game outcomes. Maliepo scored again shortly after, followed by Tyra Wetere, who netted two tries in quick succession, solidifying the Warriors’ commanding victory.
This game presents a tough challenge for the Bulldogs as they must regroup and address their injury crisis while aiming to improve their form in the upcoming matches.