By Jake Bull
The Illawarra Cutters were defeated 32-8 by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
The loss all but dashed the Cutters hopes of competing in the NSW Cup Final Series having needed to win both of their final two fixtures.
It was an early lead for the home side when winger Jarrod McInally went over for the 4-0 lead.
Midway through the first half the Bulldogs went in again when fullback Lindon McGrady finished off the play.
Centre Levi Dodd converted to make it 10-0.
The Cutters managed to reply though through winger Eto Nabui in the 35th minuteto make it 10-4 at the break.
The first 15 minutes of the second half was a tight affair as both sides aimed to find some momentum but it was the visitors who found the tryline through Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard to make it 10-8.
However, that would be as close as the Cutters would get as a second to McGrady and a tries to Danny Fualalo, Tyrone Phillips and Jaline Graham sealed the win for the home side.
Illawarra Cutters 8. Tries: Nabuli, Tuimavave-Gerrard. Goals: Wallace (0/2).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Tries: McGrady (2), Fualalo, Phillips, Graham, McInally. Goals: Dodd (4/6).
