Watson, Matta Seal Exciting Opening Win for Hills Bulls
The Hills Bulls overcame a 16-point half-time deficit to charge to an exciting 30-28 victory over Glebe Dirty Reds in the opening round of the Sydney Shield rugby league campaign last Sunday.
Man of the moment Edmond Matta converted all five tries for the Bulls, with the last kick in the 71st minute sealing the hard-fought win. Tom Watson planted the equalising try in the 70th minute, his second of the match, after the Bulls played catch up for all but the final 10 minutes.
The Dirty Reds raced to a 22-6 lead at the breather through tries from Vincent Valentinetti, Mavoni Tiufua, Druzel Taula, Carlos Henry, with Watson scoring the sole try for the Bulls in the 37th minute.
Two quick tries by Travis Milner (45th minute) and Kade Moujalli (53rd) ignited the Bulls with Matta adding the extra points to reduce the gap to 22-18. However, The Dirty Reds stretched the lead again when Valentinetti, touched down in the 59th minute, making it 28-18.
That was the last time the Bulls’ defence was breached with a converted try by Benjamin Zahra in the 65th minute making it 28-24 and setting the stage for a terrific finish. The Hills Bulls broke through the Dirty Reds defence in the 70th minute through Watson to make it 28- all before the all-important conversion by Matta sealed a superb victory.
The Bulls face Manly Leagues in the second round on Saturday, March 22, at the Hills Grammar grounds, Kenthurst, at 3pm.
CLOSE DEFEAT
In the Ron Massey Cup, the Hills Bulls had a close defeat at the hands of Glebe Dirty Reds, who held on for a 38-32 win.
The Bulls led 20-18 at half-time thanks to tries by Dominic Reardon (2) and Damon Smith, with Oskar Warner and Christian Abal (2) firing over the conversions.
Second-half tries from Maila Aluni-Chanfoon and Tali Toetu’u were not enough to prevent the Dirty Reds from snatching victory with a 74thminute converted try through Turoa Williams, his third for the match. The try broke the 32-all deadlock.
“It was a positive start to the season in very hot conditions,” the Bulls coach Steve O’Dea said. However, we are looking to improve defensively.”
This Sunday, March 23, the Bulls are away to Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at the H.E. Laybutt Field. Kick off: 3pm.
