The feathers flew at Bill Andriske Oval last Saturday when Bulldogs defeated APOF Eagles in First Grade, Reserve Grade and Women's League Tag.
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The Under 18s were gallant in defeat, going down 28/18 to their more fancied opponents, who are running second to Berry on the ladder, with a gap of one point.
First Grade
The ExServos Bulldogs defeated the Eagles, after taking the lead midway through the first half and holding a 20/10 lead at half time.
Half way through the first half, Derek and Dean Gray scored tries, with Carroll converting one and giving the Park a 10/8 lead.
Milton dominated the play thereafter, until the Park made a comeback late in the game, scoring three tries when the Milton defence loosened up.
Milton's first try was scored by James Patterson in the fifth minute and, he was called back, after another attempt minutes later.
The Grays and Mark Carroll then added 10 points with the Park leading 10/4.
The Park defence led by Holloway, Dunster and Jenkins wilted slightly and Milton's stand out fullback Simington beat the defence with sheer speed. His try was unconverted by Young.
The Park were having a lean time with Milton's forwards getting on top through Warburton, Goodman and Travers. A kick into Milton's in goal saw the restart at the 20 metre and, what looked promising, saw possession lost to the Park.
Carroll and Bowles combined only to see possession return to the Dogs.
Kirren Roughley had his best game for the year, he wrong-footed the Park defence to go in within kicking distance, which gave Milton consecutive tries. Young converted and Milton led 14/10.
Young, who has been one of Milton's most consistent players, was rewarded with a try in the 35th minute at 20/10.
The reliable Tom Cook delivered a pass into touch, with the Park well and truly in the game at half time.
In what some described as the try of the year, Kirren Roughley and James Patterson combined in the 5th minute of the first half. Roughley and Patterson exchanged passes on the left flank and Roughley, received his second pass from Patterson, flick passed to rookie Khy Whitford, who dashed in at 24/10.
In the 50th minute Luke Young was awarded a penalty, after a late tackle was reported by a touch judge. Young fully recovered after the incident.
The Milton forwards lifted with Naylor, Cunningham and Wills dominant. Debutante River Roberts had entered the fray for Milton and showed exceptional strength and determination.
The Park attempted to maintain pressure with a high kick toward Milton's in goal from Carroll. Simington ever-reliable, took the ball with ease, and began a sustained attack.
Roughley and Patterson combined again to see the latter score his second try, for Young to convert 30/10.
With Simington's blistering pace, he was soon in again, after good lead up work by Cook and Grundy. Young converted and Milton appeared to have a good lead.
Milton's left winger Blake Sommerville made a promising dash. Play broke down at the play the ball and the Park were not done with.
The next 10 minutes belonged to the Park. Matt Arblaster, Aaron Sarafini and Danny Maxwell scored for the visitors during this period, when the Milton defence opened up.
The Park got within 14 points of Milton's lead with another Milton debutante taking the field in Rory Smith.
The final try went to Milton's Tom Cook, who had worked hard all day.
In an entertaining game for the Park, Maxwell, Dunster, Jenkins and Sainsbury were strong and, for the winners, Simington, Roughley and Warburton were good.
Milton fielded two debutantes in Roberts and Smith, with centre Khy Whitford playing his second game in the top grade.
Milton-Ulladulla 40 (Tries, M Simington, James Patterson (2), Khy Whitford, Kirren Roughley, Luke Young, Tom Cook (1), Luke Young 4 goals) def Albion Park Oak Flats 22 (Tries, Aaron Sarafini, Matt Arblaster, Danny Maxwell, Derek Gray, Dean Gray, Matt Carroll 1 goal).
The Dogs will be hoping to hold onto their winning form for the next match up at Bill Andriske on Sunday, August 3.
There will be no competition play in Group 7 on July 27 and 28.
Port Kembla's win over Jamberoo on Saturday will keep the pressure on the Dogs at the lower end of the table. The Dogs will meet out of form competition leaders Warilla Gorillas at 2.45pm.
Reserve Grade
The Reserve Graders put in their best performance of the season when they beat APOF, after the final hooter last Saturday.
With the scores locked at 22-22, Milton's kicker Tyson Alcorn kicked a penalty goal, to give his side victory.
Milton’s line up was Will Ray, Damien Gray, Dale Hammond, Josh Pender, Scott D'Ombrain, James Little, Tyson Alcorn, Nathan Ridley, Tommy Ray, Dan Beauchamp, Ben Evans, Jacob Hemsworth, Matt Cook, Owen Mitchell, Nataniel Hampton Olive, Will Fox and Jerry Organ.
A weeks rest will give the Dogs a chance to freshen up, in readiness for their greatest challenge, in meeting third placed Warilla on August 3.
In a tight first half, the Park opened with Luke McKay scoring, for Gorrell to convert.
In the 9th minute, evergreen Nathan Ridley powered over for the locals, with Tyson Alcorn's conversion attempt deflecting off the upright. This proved to be ominous, as Alcorn turned every other opportunity into points, including the penalty goal kicked after the bell.
Midway through the first half the Dogs lived up to their name in defence, after conceding three successive penalties on their own line.
The Park's Matt Keys dived through the ruck, to score the Park's second try, with Gorrell adding the extras.
Milton continued to attack, with Jacob Hemsworth making a long searching run, to see the Park leading 12/4 at half time.
Matt Keys, who was the Park's best player, scored again early in the second half, to extend their lead to 16/4.
Milton were working their way back into the game but, a poor pass from Pender, went to ground. The consistent Tommy Ray managed to get over the line for Alcorn to convert.
Play was extremely tight at this stage, Hampton Olive Little and the Rays strong.
With 20 minutes remaining, it appeared that Milton were doomed when Matt Keys scored his second for the Park, for Gorrell to convert at 22/10.
Milton stayed in the game with another try to Tommy Ray, and Alcorn converted at 22/16.
With three minutes remaining, Hampton Olive was held up over the line. Seconds later, he positioned himself to run onto a pass, to go in close to the sticks. Alcorn converted, which locked the score up at 22-22.
In the final minute, the referee found the Park inside the 10 metres after being consistent on this rule all game.
In what could only be described as a pressure, it was Alcorn who won the game for his team mates.
Milton-Ulladulla 24 (Tries, Tommy Ray (2), Ridley and Hampton Olive (1), Alcorn 4 goals) def Albion Park Oak Flats 22 (Tries, Matt Keys (3), Luke McKay (1), Daniel Gorrell 3 goals).
Under 18s
The Under 18s were up against second placed APOF, who are one point behind Berry on the board.
Leaving their best form too late in the season, it appears that they are out of the running for the top five.
They were far from disgraced and, were still well in the game with seven minutes to go, when Rory Smith scored a run away, for Zuzic to score and make it 22/18 to the Park.
With minutes remaining it was Sibraa who scored for the Park.
The Park were able to close the game out 28/18.
If the Dogs can maintain their late season form, they should be able to hold out lowly placed Warilla at Bill Andriske Oval, on Sunday, August 3.
River Roberts and Rory Smith were rewarded with their consistent efforts over recent weeks and advanced to the First Grade bench later in the day.
Prolific point scorer Nathan Browne could not return for the second half due to a painful ankle injury.
Albion Park Oak Flats 28 (Tries, Taana Nahona (2), Lachlan Farrell, Brendan Bell, Tyrone Sibraa (1), Scott Austin 4 goals) def Milton-Ulladulla 18 (Tries, Rory Smith (2), Tyler Clark (1), goals Matt Zuzic (2), Nathan Browne (1)).
WLT
The match of the day between Milton on 28 points, and APOF on 24 points, proved to be an anti climax.
Milton-Ulladulla held their opponents scoreless, with a comprehensive 46/0 drubbing.
APOF were without Maddison Glover, Darcy Brown, Jemesha Curtis-Henry, Michaela Collings and Jo Hensley.
Milton-Ulladulla made few errors, had bundle of possession and, with their sheer speed, soon ran APOF off their feet. Leading 24/0 at half time, Milton were always in control.
Ebony Murray did her pointscoring championship no harm with a bag of 24.
NSW State Touch Football representative Taryn Love also scored three, with Georgia Thomas, Emmah Haynes and Kate Baric a try each.
Dave Hatch was pleased with the performance of his team. Their next outing will be against Warilla, who are well down the ladder.
Sponsors Players’ Night
Former Milton-Ulladulla junior and international, Luke O'Donnell, was the guest of the Bulldogs, at their sponsors’ night last Friday night. This event was held at the ExServos Function Centre.
O'Donnell donated the jumper he played in the Tri Nations Tournament to the club, to be raffled.
The winner Brian Wilkins said, on the night, that he intended to display his win in the ExServos Club.
With some 140 people in attendance, club President Bert Powell, said that the night was a huge success and gave the sponsors an opportunity to mix with the players and officials.