PYRAMID Hill’s bounce back to winning form has come at a high cost.
The Bulldogs lost the consistent Bailey George with a shoulder injury mid-way through the third term against Bridgewater.
His exit from the game came as Pyramid Hill had lifted from a sluggish start in a lacklustre encounter.
Pyramid Hill was up by just three points at the first break and then added 3.6 to expand the lead by half-time.
Jack Symons in defence for the Mean Machine was frustrating forward lunges as play see-sawed.
But the second half was a more settled performance from the Bulldogs as they sought to avenge the memory of the previous round’s drubbing at the hands of Marong.
Billy Micevski rose to put in probably his best game this season and a display that had all the unselfish characteristics that he puts to the fore.
Just as Bridgewater was trying to again stifle the visitors, an Ed Caburnay goal midway through the third was soon followed up by Zach Alford after inspirational play in the midfield by Micevski.
Sebastian Relouw and Jesse Sheahan were pivotal cutting off Mean Machine play and also chipping in with goals.
The determination of the Bulldogs with their backs to the wall was borne out in the final quarter. Without George and Scott Mann (concussion), Pyramid Hill almost doubled it score with 8.4 while denying Bridgewater any addition on the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs may have been hurt, but the bark remains.