A scrum in the sixth minute gave the Bulldogs the run of play and the Shellharbour forwards were penalised for lifting Adam Moore in a tackle.

Milton were getting on top and it was Moore playing in the second row who scored the opening try with Luke Young missing the shot.

It was a quiet first half for both sides until the 32nd minute when Milton halfback Jayde Tooth was sent off after making a lifting tackle on an opponent.

Immediately after Blake Summerville and Tom Cook made long runs into Shellharbour territory however the Milton Ulladulla defence held and Stapleton was penalised for holding Young down in a tackle.

Young kicked the penalty goal to give them a half time lead of 6-nil.

Shellharbour second rower Dane Sablowski got Shellharbour into the game with a try wide out in the 50th minute. Goodwin missed the kick.

Luke Young soon lifted again for the Bulldogs with a high kick into the Shellharbour in-goal for Mitch Simmington to leap into the air and gain the ball for a four-pointer. Luke Young converted and Milton extended its lead to 12-4.

In the 58th minute Milton captain Gary Warburton was penalised after an indiscretion in the play the ball. A long raking kick turned Milton around and nippy work by Hans Schuster and Brad Chapman saw Justin Rodrigues cross in a handy position for Bronx Goodwin to convert with Milton holding onto a 12-10 lead.

Milton were under pressure and needed to score again to stay on top but it was Shellharbour who rallied and through Matt Leabeater and Mat Docker made some good gains and it was Brad Chapman who managed to make his way over the line for Bronx Goodwin to convert .

With Tooth off the field, playing with only 12 men was catching up with the locals and after some sterling efforts from Goodman, Moore and Warburton play was still see sawing from one end to the other.

In an exciting finish it was in the 70th minute that Leabeater made a clean break with Goodwin backing up and claiming the try, which he converted.

Best for the victors were Goodwin, Leabeater and Dormer and for Milton Young, Warburton and Moore were strong.