Finally, a home match for the Bulldogs, and what a day it should be this Saturday.
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Easter Saturday will be the first home clash for a long time and also Past Players Day.
From 1969 to the present, there have been 1,092 players who have played for the club, with 87 of them having played in excess of 100 games.
The statistics make great reading, with Paul Love having played 416 games (this could well be a Group 7 record), then John Johnston 350; Adam Costa 313 and Bill Whitby 300.
If you played with the Bulldogs, or are a supporter, we need you there on Easter Saturday. There will be entertainment after the game, so come along and be part of the fun.
The last two games have been tough with the wet conditions and the loss of players from the past season. We have lost 10 players from last years line up but there are five locals who have returned, as well as Under 18 players making a massive jump to First Grade. We also have a number of Batemans Bay players that have joined our ranks.
Whilst having been beaten by Gerringong last Saturday, the Milton Ulladulla ExServos First Grade was more than competitive and, in fact, won the second half.
Coach Ross Warburton is confident that there will be a better showing this week and we look forward to seeing our many supporters coming along and enjoying the day.
Tickets for the Mothers Day ‘Queen for a Day’ are now on sale and will be available to purchase at the game. Buy a ticket and, if you win, make a mum very special. The prize is amazing and our heartfelt thanks to our donors namely Hedz Up, Café Pavilion, All Buffed Up, Sachi on Green, Comfort Shoes, Eye Appeal, Millards Restaurant and Bannisters, plus a double pass to a Bulldogs game at Mollymook Oval.
Spare a thought for our Mollymook Golf Club sponsored Under 18s on Saturday with the penalty count 9-0 at half time and 18-4 at at the bell – these lads were only just beaten. It was a massive effort and congratulations to them and to coach Paul Love for such a gutsy effort. We will surely see them at finals time.
Finally, don’t forget our home game on Easer Saturday, when the Bulldogs will be taking on Jamberoo Superoos, with the first game commencing at 10.35am. The Ladies Tag, Under 18s, Reserves and First Grade will all be doing battle as well.
First Grade
The ExServos Bulldogs travelled to Gerringong on Saturday and had to contend not only with the Mick Cronin boys but they also had to battle against some of the worst conditions – wind, rain and two inches of mud – most of the players would rather have been sitting in the Ulladulla ExServos, as the rain swept across the field right on kick off.
The Dogs welcomed into their side Englishman Sam Cunningham, and needed all of their troops on deck, as they were without big Brian Travers and AJ Hatch.
The Dogs started the game in good shape, as referee William Drury got play under way but, 20 minutes into the game, saw Gerringong two tries up against the run of play, which had them in the lead 12-0.
Blake Sommerville, captain Gary Warburton and new boy Scott D’ombrain were all doing their best in the slush to slow the premiers down but, two further tries before half time, had Gerringong up 22-0 at the break.
The second half started much the same at the first half had finished. Gerringong scored a surprise early try to extend their lead 28-0 with the crowd cheering on a bunch of players that no-one could distinguish as to what side they were on. How the referee could find a penalty in these conditions was very hard to understand but they were flying quick and fast to both sides.
The Bulldogs started to get some momentum with the Young brothers getting some quick ball. Second rower Jamie Wills got better as the game wore on and the small blokes, Nick Goodman and Laclan Moore, started to make ground, which allowed one of the Dogs best, Thomas Cook, to cross over to break the duck and Luke converted, to make the score 28-6.
The kick off was comical – the ball was plugged nine metres from half way, the Dogs got the penalty but they continued to drop the ball and Gerringong were over again, 32-6.
A long range try from Lachlan Moore, who made a 50-metre sprint in heavy conditions look like a Maykbe Diva Melbourne Cup staying race, had the Dogs making the score look respectable.
A try by Gerringong on the stroke of full time blew the score out to 38-10, the score did not indicate the closeness and effort of both sides in trying conditions.
Bulldogs Reserve Grade
Playing in atrocious conditions, the Hanson Cement Group sponsored Reserve Grade put up a brave showing against the much fancied Gerringong Lions side, at Gerringong on Saturday.
The boggy and miserable conditions limited the style of football available on the day and, at the end, the Lions showed better ball control to steak the game 18-4.
The first half was a dire affair, with play in Milton’s territory for most of the session.
The Bulldogs grimly defended their line against a continual barrage, as Gerringong showed better ball control.
Early turnovers from the Milton boys had their opponents regularly applying the pressure but, it took until the 10-minute mark, before they found a crack in the defence, to score wide of the post. Gerringong 4-0.
The game was played very tight, with very few breaks, but Milton remained in the game, as the defensive line held strong.
The forwards were bashing it up in the middle, with the little guys also finding space in the slippery conditions.
Some late pressure by the Dogs saw Jimmy Little score out wide just before the half time bell, to even things up at 4-4, going into the break.
The second half was again a testing time for both sides but, this time, it was the home side who gradually gained a dominant position.
A stronger control of ball allowed the Lions to wear down their opponents in the muddy conditions and, during the half, they ran in a further three tries to take the game 18-4.
The Milton side had put in a strong effort but Gerringong were too good on the day.
Best for Milton were Jacob Hemsworth 3, Daniel Beauchamp 2, Scott Webb and Jayde Tooth 1 each.
The steady start to the year by the “Reggies” everyone primed for a great season and all the players are looking to put it in at training over the coming weeks, to see things further improve.
Well done guys!
Milton Ulladulla Women’s League Tag
The Milton Ulladulla WLT played their first game on the weekend against Warilla, at Warilla with a great result, winning 56-0.
A good team performance, everyone did their job, running in some great tries.
Our defence was good keeping Warilla scoreless. Considering we had only trained as a team twice, as the coach, I was very pleased with the effort put in by everyone
Ebony was voted players’ player, with Jaylee, Ana and Taryn also receiving points.
On a sad note one of our girls, Georgia Thomas, injured her shoulder and was taken by ambulance to Wollongong Hospital. On behalf of the team and club, our thoughts are with you.
Try scorers included Ebony 3, Cheyanne and Taryn 2, Cheryl, Jaylee, Emma and Lacey one each and Ebony kicked 5 from 10, Amy 1 from 1.
Next Saturday, April 19, we are at home against Jamberoo, at 10.35am.
Go the Dogs!