World Footy News

Canterbury Australian Football League club the Christchurch Bulldogs met the newest kids on the block in the South Island of NZ, the Otago Riot from Dunedin, for a preseason challenge match in Christchurch on August 22nd.

The match was preceded by a Kiwikick session for a group of local kids and hopefully future Bulldogs. With several locals helping to set up the field and wave the flags the scene was set for a great day of footy in the sun.

The game got underway at 2.30pm in warm conditions, with the Bulldogs kicking to the Mt Cook end. After several forward forays the Bulldogs scored the first goal, soccered off the ground by coach Steve Langridge. The Bulldogs' innaccuracy was keeping the Otago boys in the game and they went into the 1/4 time break leading 2.8 (20) to 1.2 (8).

The second quarter was another battle of the halfback lines and scoring shots were few & far between. However the Bulldogs went to the long break with a handy 4 goal lead.

The Dogs needed some strong defensive work from captain Steve Langridge and new pup Matt Crighton or the Otago boys may have been in with a sniff at 3/4 time.

The final quarter started well for the Bulldogs with a couple of quick goals at the clubhouse end. To their credit the Riot boys battled the game out and can hold their heads up and start preparing for their next match against the Canterbury senior team in October.

The final score read Christchurch Bulldogs 11.12 (78) Otago Riot 7.9 (51).

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