Sad sack result for embattled Doggies

There was a new coach and a new era, but it was the same sad-sack result for the embattled Bulldogs tonight.

The Bulldogs, playing their first game under caretaker coach Jim Dymock after Kevin Moore resigned yesterday, went down 36-12 to the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

They gave their interim mentor a bright start, racing to a 12-0 lead after as many minutes before conceding 36 straight points on their way to their fourth loss in five games.

It was hoped the end of speculation about Moore’s future would lead to a reversal of fortunes, but tonight’s performance was no better than the losses that led to his demise.

The Bulldogs (11^th, 18 points) will only drop down the ladder if South Sydney beat the Roosters tomorrow, but they need a dramatic form reversal to keep their finals hopes from slipping down the drain.

The sixth-placed Warriors – who will farewell their coach, Penrith-bound Ivan Cleary at the end of the year - moved two points clear of seventh-placed Newcastle, who play Sunday against Manly.

After a spirited showing in the first stanza – which finished 12-12 - the Bulldogs were outclassed in the second half, starting with a soft try to Lance Hohaia in the 44^th minute.

The England-bound utility barged over from dummy half after some lazy marker defence to give the hosts their first lead of the night, 18-12.

New Zealand were able to keep the under-siege Bulldogs in their own half, while the Sydneysiders didn’t help their cause with a series of unforced errors.

Although the Bulldogs execution was lacking precision, their resistance didn’t crumble until the final quarter of the match.

Aaron Heremaia’s 56^th-minute try, which came after a 50m dash abetted by poor marker defence from Andrew Ryan and Gary Warburton, made it 24-12 and augured poorly for the tormented visitors.  

Feleti Mateo touched down six minutes later to extend the lead to 30-12 and kill off any chance of a Bulldogs revival.

Heremaia scored again just after the fulltime siren to pour more heartache on the beleaguered Bulldogs, who started the season as one of the most fancied teams in the competition.

The Canterbury-based club will be without Kris Keating for a few weeks after he damaged elbow ligaments during the loss. NSW hooker Michael Ennis missed tonight’s rivalry round contest due to an ear injury sustained during the Origin series.

The visitors made a dream start when Jonathon Wright was first to Ben Roberts grubber in the 6^th minute. Steve Turner, who missed a relatively simple penalty goal attempt earlier, added the extras for 6-0.

Turner scored in the 10^th minute after Warriors fullback Kevin Locke fumbled another Roberts grubber to give the under siege Bulldogs an improbable, but deserved, 12-0 lead.

The hosts hit back through Elijah Taylor in the 21^st minute before tying the scores 12-12 thanks to James Maloney’s converted four-pointer in the 29^th minute.