Collies produced a near faultless first half at Dapto Showground to lead 20-4 at halftime only for the competition leaders kick into gear in the second with a hat-trick to winger Rob Beauserau making quick work of the deficit after the break.

After almost surrendering a 20-point lead of their own against Wests last week the Canaries produced perhaps their best performance of the season to extend their undefeated run and remain two points clear at the top of the ladder.

Captain-coach Michael Henderson said the game showed why the two sides are one and two on the ladder.

“They came out and played terrific. They had a game plan and they executed it perfectly and in that first 20-30 minutes they really outplayed us,” Henderson said.

“They got the early jump and played some smart footy. They had a good run of possession there that really sapped us early in the game. To our credit we didn’t panic. We’ve had a few challenges this year and we’re stood up and today was another one. 

“We’ve still got a lot to work on and a lot to learn but I couldn’t be prouder of the way the boys stick together and it was great to get the job done for the all the old boys that came down to watch. Full credit to Collies, they’re  a great side and they’re only going to get better so we need to keep improving as well.”

The Dogs got a off to a flyer when Daniel Bourke won the race to a Heath L’Estrange grubber and earned a quick 10-0 lead when Alipate Noilea shrugged off two defenders on a strong run to the line. Donte Efaraimo finished off a break from Blake Phillips to score int he corner midway through the half with a try to Joel Reddy to only joy for the hosts as they trailed 20-4 at the break.

The tide turned quickly in the second with Beauserau notching two tries in the opening 10 minutes and completing his hat-trick after Mick Murphy sliced through midway through the half. A try to Greg Davis kept the visitors in it until tries to Matt Johnstone, Jason Raper and Matt Handcock sealed the win.

Collies coach Nathan Fien was left ruing a slow start to the second half after putting the competition leaders under more pressure than they’ve faced at any point this season in the first.

“The way we started the game was exactly what we spoke about and what we’d asked of each other,” Fien said.

“We jumped out to a really good lead and that was all on the back of just playing field position and being patient with the footy and the points come from that. There were just a few clinical things we let slip in the second half.

They played really good field position and momentum in the modern game is really hard to wrestle back. We had a bit in the first half but unlucky for us they were able to wrestle it back in the second and unfortunately we just couldn’t hold on.”

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