The Illawarra Cutters drew 24-all with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
Despite getting out an early lead, the Cutters could not stop the home side’s momentum as both sides left with a point each.
The Cutters were in fine form early and it was Geoff Daniela who found the try line after converting to the wing in a late re-shuffle.
Kyle Stanley was able to convert to lead 6-0.
In the 20th minute, Stanley scored his own try after barging over from close range.
He converted his own try to extend the lead to 12-0.
Seven minutes later, Shannon Wakeman scored for the visitors and gave Illawarra a commanding lead.
Illawarra converted again to hold a convincing 18-0 lead heading towards half-time.
However, three minutes later the Bulldogs hit back with two tries to reduce the gap at half-time to 18-10.
Another Bulldog try after half-time reduced the deficit to two points before interchange dummy-half Joel Johnson scored for the Cutters to extend the lead heading into the final stages of the game.
The away side converted to lead 24-16 with eleven minutes to go in the game.
With the game in the balance, two late tries in the space of three minutes for the home side had the scores all locked up.
The Bulldogs missed the conversion to win the game to ensure the Cutters left the game with one competition point.
Illawarra Cutters 24. Tries: Daniela, Wakeman, Stanley, Johnson. Goals: Stanley (3), Duggan (1/1).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24. Tries: Dodd (2), Brennan, Phillips, Minute. Goals: Templeman (1/3), McGrady (1/2).
