Bulldogs’ Reynolds finishes in style

JOSH Reynolds has been given a dream Belmore sendoff after Canterbury produced a miracle comeback to beat Newcastle 20-18.

The Bulldogs looked dead and buried yesterday, trailing by 10 points with five minutes left on the clock but found something special for their departing playmaker.

Reynolds, who grew up on Platts Ave just a kilometre down the road from the Bulldogs’ spiritual home, was playing his last game at the ground before his departure to the Wests Tigers next NRL season.

With the Knights up 18-8, Marcelo Montoya crossed with four minutes to go before Brock Lamb booted it into the legs of Moses Mbye who raced 70m to even the scores in the 80th minute.

Kerrod Holland booted it from the sideline to take a twopoint lead, setting off wild scenes as fans prematurely raced on to the ground to mob Reynolds.

“It was pretty crazy, there were little kids there almost getting trampled,” Reynolds said.

“Tomorrow I’ll probably go back and have a look and realise how special it was. Two of the boys were lifting me up on their shoulders and just the view I had of Belmore and the whole crowd, it’s ingrained in me forever.

“I can’t thank the boys enough for today. We were down and out. Let’s be honest, we were never winning that game and they found something and it made the day even more special.”

Knights captain Sione Mata’utia suffered a suspected broken finger and will have scans today. CANTERBURY 20 (K Holland, M Mbye, M Montoya tries, K Holland 4 goals) d NEWCASTLE 18 (P Mata’utia 2, C Mata’utia tries, T Hodkinson 3 goals) at Belmore Sports Ground. Crowd: 13,103.