Sharks Matthews Cup start with a win over Steelers
Author : Sharks Media
Sharks Matthews Cup start with a win over Steelers
The Matthews Cup Sharks have started their 2022 season in impressive fashion with a 30-10 victory over the Illawarra Steelers in their round one clash at PointsBet Stadium.
The Sharks scored six tries to two in the win, back rower Jasper Catton named player’s player in a match where the home side squandered a 10-0 first half lead, before running away with the contest in the second period.
Sharks coach Brad Kelly was pleased his team was able to respond following the break after giving up their early advantage.
“We were probably the dominant side in the first half but didn’t do ourselves any favours with too many errors, too many penalties,” Kelly said.
“But very pleased with the second half. I thought we controlled the game, kicked a lot better and we got the two points which is a good way to start the year.”
The Sharks were on the board early
The Sharks were on the board early, Catton slicing through off a clever short ball from five eighth Ashton Simmonds before beating the fullback and running 25 metres to score.
Skipper Chevy Stewart added the extras and the Sharks had a 6-0 lead just three minutes into the match.
They would add to their advantage soon after when Catton dived over from close range for a second four pointer and at 10-0 the Sharks were well on top.
The Steelers would however work their way back into the contest and after a Sharks sin-binning for a professional foul, would score twice in the las five minutes of the half as the teams went to the break locked at 10-apiece.
With the wind at their backs and Simmonds and half back Bryce Sait kicking intelligently, the Sharks moved back into strong field position and it would be fullback Stewart creating space for his outside men, with winger Will Stewart sliding over out wide.
The conversion attempt was wide but the Sharks had their noses back in front at 14-10.
Drive home their ascendency
The Sharks would then drive home their ascendency, Catton scoring his second, Stewart converting to make it 20-10, before Lachlan Araullo crashed through to extended his teams lead.
Stewart would score the final try of the match with some good evasion out wide in completing the scoring.
Catton deservedly received the votes from teammates as the Sharks best, however he had plenty of willing helpers, with Stewart at the back, centres Albert Litisoni and Jayze Tuigamala, hooker Blake Woodger was sharp at dummy half, while middle forwards Araullo. Jai Davies and Alex Challenor did the hard work in controlling the middle of the field.
The under-17 Matthews Cup Sharks now move on to a round two away match against the Penrith Panthers next Saturday.
SG Ball Cup Rnd 1 Results, scorers and Player’s Stat’s
Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 1 Results, scorers and Player’s Stat’s
Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 1 Results, scorers and Player’s Stat’s
Related Links
Sharks.com.au
More NSWRL Junior Rep’s news
