own of Burlington, Ont. Its the daunting statistic on late-season momentum casting doubt over Canterburys NRL title push.The Bulldogs go into

Middlesex 408 for 6 (Gubbins 145, Compton 131, Onions 3-76) lead Durham 204 (Rayner 4-17, Franklin 3-26) by 204 runs Scorecard The hearty cheers that reverberated around Lords told their own tale. Nick Compton had not merely reached a century at HQ, but had helped Middlesex into a position of dominance and, in the process, strengthened his teams hold on the summit of Division One. So as he punched the air in delight at his century, removing his helmet to acknowledge the crowds applause, Compton had much reason to be proud.That recent months have been among the most trying of Comptons professional life hardly needs restating. Indeed, when he brought up his 50, it was his first half-century of the year, and first since his crucial 85 underpinned Englands victory in the Durban Test at the end of 2015.Given these circumstances, and the huge importance of this match to his team, few of Comptons 25 first-class centuries can have been the cause of so much satisfaction. On this evidence, plenty more will be forthcoming in the County Championship. Compton has only just turned 33, retains one of the most resolute defensive techniques in the land and has a ravenous appetite for runs that few can rival in the county game.There seems no reason why, if he has the inclination, he cannot continue to feast in the shires for many years, a little like Marcus Trescothick and Mark Ramprakash, two other players who, for contrasting reasons, enjoyed international careers shorter than they had envisaged.Adhesive defence has been Comptons hallmark, and this innings was no different: he had to summon all of his fortitude to resist Rushwoths swing and the bounce of Mark Wood. And yet Compton revealed plenty more of his game: relentlessly efficient clips through the legside, some imperious hooks, and a succession of meticulously-placed late cuts, including the steer off Scott Borthwick that brought up his century a little before three oclock. While the early stages of his innings had been a little jittery, Compton unobtrusively gained in fluency, using his feet nimbly to spin and outpacing Nick Gubbins during their fertile alliance.Together with Gubbins, Compton added 247 runs in 79.1 overs, and how they fed of each other was highlighted not just by their harrying between the wickets but how Gubbins left his crease so early to laud Compton for his century that Durham might have run him out.This was a match-defining partnership, and a record-breaking one: Middlesexs highest stand for the second wicket against Durham and only one shy of equalling the record for any wicket. Gubbins dismissal also left him one short of being the first batsman to reach 1,000 runs in the County Championship in 2016. Still, he might reflect that 999 runs at 66.60 apiece is not too shabby.Although this was only his third first-class century - Gubbins fell three times in the 90s before reaching his first - it brimmed with not merely assurance and class, but, for those who have witnessed him this season, a certain feeling of inevitability. Given that England are hardly overburdened with proven opening partners for Alastair Cook, it would be a surprise if Gubbins was not rewarded by a England Lions berth.Cricket has always fetishised the grace of the left-hander, and, in his clips through the legside, driving through point and dexterous use of his feet against spin, Gubbins has an elegance in keeping with this tradition. All these shots were in evidence against Durham; more importantly, so was Gubbins grit.How he needed it to withstand Wood. Woods frustration has been palpable all day, and, with Gubbins on 99, he expressed it in an over of short bowling, harassing Gubbins with a short leg and fly slip. Gubbins withstood, and reached his century against Borthwick in the next over, but still Wood returned, a brutal rising delivery from him smashing into Gubbins grill. When Wood eventually found late movement to induce Gubbins to edge to slip and end the second wicket stand, he looked to the sky - less in relief at the wicket, but in exasperation at waiting so long for it.When the second wicket stand was nascent, the previous evening, Gubbins had been spilled behind, off Onions; Compton had also survived two chances to the slips off Chris Rushworth before he has reached 20, one on the first evening and one on the second morning.By the time it finally ended, the alliance between Compton and Gubbins was worth more than the entirety of Durhams first innings and, buttressed by a forceful cameo from Paul Stirling, had secured Middlesex a lead of over 200: a position from which they will expect to win convincingly, in the process extend their lead at the top of Division One.And, as loud as the cheers that greeted Comptons century were, Middlesex can dream of even more boisterous acclaim should they clinch the Championship crown here against Yorkshire in the final game of the season. 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She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Its the daunting statistic on late-season momentum casting doubt over Canterburys NRL title push.The Bulldogs go into Fridays last round clash with South Sydney desperate to ignite their run, with history showing they shape as sitting ducks unless they get cracking before the finals.After two straight losses - and staring down the barrel of three consecutive defeats for the first time since early last season - the Dogs have been spluttering when they need to be surging, slipping out of the top four.In the 109-year history of the competition, no side has ever lost their last three regular season matches and won the premiership, according to Fox Sports Stats.While the 1966 Balmain side lost their last three and went on to make the grand final, they fell at the last hurdle against St George.Canterbury coach Des Hasler knows plenty about getting teams into the finals, having achieved the feat in his last 12 seasons as head coach at Manly then the Bulldogs.He admits concern about his sides poor ball control and other simple errors which have cruelled them over the last month.Momentum is important. This game is about getting the little things right, Hasler said.(Their mistakes) have been pretty fundamental and we need to correct that.Its not frustrating but its a critical part that we need to fix.While the Dogs will have to buck history if they lose to the Rabbitohs, Hasler - who secured two premierships from three grand finals with Manly and two grand final appearances in four years with the Dogs - has proven himself as a man who can spark his side.dddddddddddd.In 2014, the Bulldogs lost six of their last eight regular season games, including their last two, before they went on a finals run and met the Rabbitohs in the grand final.Hasler also took Sea Eagles to the 2007 grand final after they lost two of their last three regular season games.In his element as finals near, Hasler reckons 2016 has provided a particularly close competition.Its exciting this time of year, he said. Its been one of the closest I can remember in sorting out a top eight.Hasler is also wary of the momentum South Sydney have gathered while winning their last three matches in an otherwise forgettable season.Theyre pretty mobile, theyve got some handy players in there so I imagine their motivation is to finish the season on a high, Hasler said.Halfback Moses Mbye has been cleared to take on the Rabbitohs despite requiring stitches after a training mishap when he collided with Michael Lichaa during the week.STATS THAT MATTER* Canterbury won the Good Friday clash but have not won both regular season matches against the Rabbitohs since 2011.* The past two matches between Souths and the Bulldogs have both been high scoring with at least 50 points scored in each.* The Bulldogs are ranked equal second for the least amount of missed tackles (21.4 per game).Source: Fox Sports Stats ' ' '