Cronulla Sharks Matthews Cup dominant, SG Ball Sharks falter late
Author : Sharks Media
The Matthews Cup Sharks moved into the top eight with a confidence boosting win, while the SG Ball team were beaten on the bell in round five matches played in Canberra on Sunday.
In the Mathews Cup the Sharks dominated the Raiders in the second period with five tries after the break, running out comfortable 40-28 winners, however the story wasn’t as positive for their SG Ball counterparts, with a try in the 6th minute breaking a deadlock and giving the Canberra side a 20-16 victory.
The results put the under-16 Sharks side on course to push for a Finals berth, while the under-18 Ball squad will need to go on a winning run should they hope to qualify for the playoffs in around a months’ time.
In the first game played at Gungahlin Oval the Matthews Cup Sharks started strongly in racing to an 8-0 lead.
The Raiders worked their way back into the contest and went ahead 10-8 before powering to a 22-14 advantage at the half time interval.
Controlling possession after the break the Sharks put on an impressive attacking display, five unanswered tries seeing them race to a 40-22 lead, with a consolation four-pointer to their opponents in the final minute completing the scoring.
Three players bagged a double in the win, with full back Siteni Taukamo, back rower Luke Raymond and centre Talanoa Penitani crossing the stripe twice.
The Matthews Sharks are now eighth with a washed-out game in hand.
In the SG Ball clash to follow, the Cronulla side began well and looked likely to make it a Sharks double in the national capital, with a second try to Jordan Samrani just after half time pushing the score out to 16-4 in their favour.
From that point however the home team would rally, two converted tries levelling the scores at 16, then just when it appeared as if the teams would share the spoils, a 68th minute touchdown to the Raiders meant the Sharks were resigned to long trip home to the Shire.
Making the loss ever harder to swallow, the teams both crossed the line four times, with the Sharks unable to kick a goal.
Now with just one win from four matches played, the Sharks need to string some results together if they hope to have a chance of qualifying for the finals series at season’s end.
The two Sharks sides host the Roosters in round six in matches to be played at PointsBet Stadium.
