Author : Panthers Media

Panthers junior reps results round 1

The Panthers opened their 2025 Junior Reps campaign with all four grades facing Cronulla at HE Laybutt Sporting Complex, Blacktown on Saturday.

The Panthers female sides kicked off the season in style with wins in the Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup, while the Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup teams showed plenty of positive signs in defeat.

Round 2 of the Junior Reps season will see the female sides face Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with the male teams tackling the Warriors.

SG Ball Cup

Panthers 18 – 26 Sharks

The Panthers were chased down by the Sharks in a 26-18 season-opening defeat.

The Panthers found themselves on the attack from the outset, and took the early opportunity with both hands.

The Panthers staged a perfect backline play, as fullback Jack Attard found winger Harry Wald with a cut-out pass to open the scoring.

Halfback Cooper Black cut through Cronulla’s defence with a show-and-go in his own half, before putting a chip-and-chase over the Sharks fullback. He came close to completing a stunning try, but a poor bounce forced him to settle for a dropout.

Sustained pressure eventually paid off for the Panthers, as prop Hokafonu Lemoto crashed over and muscled his way to the try line. Jack Attard’s conversion made it a 10-0 lead after 18 minutes.

A kick-off error put the Panthers straight back on the attack, and they continued to convert chances into points.

Hunter Bell scored the Panthers third try, skipping through the Sharks defence with speed and skill on the left edge.

Harry Wald appeared to have scored a spectacular second try when he soared onto Jhett Sydir’s kick out wide, but a cruel knock-on ruling denied him.

It proved a big moment for the Sharks, who moved the ball upfield and scored an important try for a flattering 14-6 scoreline at the break.

The Sharks took another bite out of the Panthers lead early in the second half, their second try narrowing the margin to two points.

Just as the Sharks returned to attacking territory and set their sights on the lead, Panthers centre Tua Patea took a crucial intercept and sprinted 90 metres to the try line.

However the visitors bounced back again, scoring another two tries to hit a 24-18 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Panthers pushed for late points to snatch a result, but it was not to be as a penalty goal sealed the deal for Cronulla.

FULL-TIME: Panthers 18 – 26 Sharks

Harold Matthews Cup

Panthers 16 – 30 Sharks

A positive start was not enough for the Panthers as they suffered a 30-16 loss to the Sharks in Round 1.

The Panthers got off to a flying start, forcing an error from the kick-off and scoring with their first possession.

Cruz Death darted out of dummy half on the last tackle of a perfectly executed attacking set, and punished the Sharks defence with the opening try.

Halfback Owen Knowles added the conversion for an early 6-0 lead.

After completing their first defensive assignment of the day, the Panthers went back on the attack and scored their second.

The crafty Cruz Death delivered out of dummy half again, as his pinpoint service sent prop Talmage Brown over the stripe. Another Knowles conversion made it a 12-point lead in as many minutes.

The Sharks recovered from their slow start, finishing the first half strongly with back-to-back tries to level the scores at halftime.

Picking up where they left off, the Sharks returned from half-time with enthusiasm.

The visitors capitalised on some sluggish Panthers play, bagging another pair of tries to hit a 24-12 lead.

Leo-Stipe Latu took matters into his own hands to keep the Panthers in the contest, surging through six defenders and scoring a powerful try.

However, the Sharks eventually put the game to bed with a fortunate try in the latter stages.

FULL-TIME: Panthers 16 – 30 Sharks

Tarsha Gale Cup

Panthers 18 – 10 Sharks

The Panthers defied the odds in an unlikely 18-10 comeback victory over Cronulla in Round 1.

Madison Wilson was the difference with a heroic hat-trick in the final 15 minutes, after a trailing Panthers side seemed down and out for much of the second half.

Cronulla dominated and led for much of the second half, before Wilson’s three late tries snatched an unlikely win.

After a cagey start to the match, the Panthers right edge rolled up the sleeves to put their team on the front foot.

When the Sharks made a threatening line break out wide, Panthers centre Samantha Hanrahan crunched Cronulla’s runaway winger over the sideline.

The Panthers took possession, and some crafty second-phase play and ball movement paved the way for second-rower Jennifer Tuilagi to storm to the try line.

The Sharks responded shortly before half-time, locking up the scores at 4-4.

The Panthers had their backs to the wall for much of the second half, with momentum favouring Cronulla comfortably.

Shortly after the break, the Sharks took a 10-4 lead through fullback Kirrawahn Duckett.

The visitors were well placed to finish the job, dominating possession and field position for extended periods.

That was, until Panthers winger Madison Wilson tipped the game on its head.

The Panthers took full advantage of a rare attacking opportunity with 15 minutes to play by spreading the ball wide, where Wilson touched down and reduced the deficit to two points.

After conceding possession from the kick-off, the Panthers were forced to soak up more Sharks pressure.

From a scrum inside their own red zone, the Panthers boldly shifted the ball to the wing.

Wilson took possession, burst outside her opposite number, and dashed 90 metres untouched to snatch the lead.

The Panthers had work to do with 10 minutes remaining, but kept their composure and held Cronulla at arm’s length.

In the final play of the day, the Panthers put the icing on the cake. Fittingly, Madison Wilson completed her hat-trick to seal an outstanding comeback win for the Panthers.

FULL-TIME: Panthers 18 – 10 Sharks

Lisa Fiaola Cup

Panthers 26 – 10 Sharks 

The Panthers kicked off the 2025 season in tremendous style, dominating the Sharks in a 26-10 triumph.

A physical performance saw the Panthers come away with a six-tries-to-two victory, with Tia-Jane Golding, Anita Ropati and Kayla Horvat standing out.

The Panthers showed their class early on, as an outstanding cut-out pass by captain Tia-Jane Golding sent winger Kiah Taotofi over for the opening try.

Momentum turned in Cronulla’s favour, but the Panthers impressive last-ditch defence kept the visitors at bay.

Kayla Horvat, Betsey Fifita and Isabella Ferguson led the Panthers out of danger and back up the field, where Kyla Pasene showed her strength to score a big try. Isabella Ferguson added the conversion to put the Panthers ahead 10-0 22 minutes.

The Panthers found themselves back on the attack within minutes, and landed another blow on the stroke of halftime.

Tia-Jane Golding placed a clever kick over the top of the Sharks compressed defensive line, and Violet Hiku pounced to hand the Panthers a 14-0 half-time lead.

The Panthers hit the ground running in the second half, with Anita Ropati scoring a quickfire double to open the floodgates.

The boom centre slammed the ball down from a backline play in the first minute of the half, before scoring the try of the day moments later.

Shifting the football left from a midfield scrum, five-eighth Patricia Heihei unleashed Ropati with a great short pass. Ropati exploded into the backfield and dashed away to make it 22-0.

As the second half unfolded, the Panthers flexed their defensive muscles. The Sharks were shut down by the Panthers physicality on several occasions, with big tackles from Vasaliva Feleti, Violet Hiku and Kyla Pasene.

Cronulla eventually pulled one back through Tahli Weigand, but the Panthers were already out of reach.

Vasaliva Feleti put an exclamation point on the impressive outing, bulldozing through the defence for a barnstorming sixth Panthers try.

Although the Sharks snagged a late consolation try, a crunching tackle by Violet Hiku in the closing stages brought the crowd to its feet and typified a dominant Panthers display.

FULL-TIME: Panthers 26 – 10 Sharks

SG Ball Cup Rnd 1 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 1 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 1 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Lisa Fiola Cup Rnd 1 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale cup Rnd 1 team lists

SG Ball Rnd 1 team lists

The post Panthers junior reps results round 1 appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Adam Wrightson Cronulla Junior League

The Sharks u16 Academy squad had their final outing for 2021 playing the Parramatta Eels at McCredie Park in Guildford. The boys who are all eyeing off a place in next years Harold Matthews Cup team, graduated in style today with a 7 tries to 5 victory.

In what was 80 minutes of football played over 4 quarters the Sharks Academy squad had to dig deep and rely on their fitness to prevail against Parramatta who were rotating a larger number of players during the match.

For a large portion of the match the Sharks would score and then the Eels would answer straight back. The first 10 minutes of the match saw both teams settle into their respective rhythms.

The Sharks Sasha Popovic was allusive and an absolute handful when he injected himself into the game. He came very close to scoring twice late in the first quarter after being monstered back into the field of play after getting across the goal line under the posts and then again, a few minutes later when he had a disallowed try for a knock-on.

Ultimately it would be Parramatta who scored first with a great effort out wide to score in the corner just after the drinks break.

Just a few minutes later a bustling run by Sharks big man Jayze Tuigamala saw him break the Eels line and then hand the ball off to Harry Samuel who scored to even up the score at 1 try a piece.

A mistake by Parramatta inside their ten then had the Sharks in prime position for a set play from the scrum which paid dividends after they sent ball wide and Nicholas Pantelis crashed over to put the Sharks up by 2-1 at the main break.

In the first set after commencement of the second half a Sharks error put the Eels in good field position, and they capitalised scoring out wide to even up the scores 2-2.

After composing themselves the Sharks then found themselves in good field position spreading the ball wide to a flying Dionn Haratsaris who scored to again see the Sharks back in front.

Off the kick-off a big hit forced the ball loose and it was once again Parramatta’s turn to have the ball in the attacking zone. The eels did not squander their opportunity and just like that we were all locked back up at 3-3.

Not long after the Sharks spread it to the opposite wing and Jack Bliss scored in the corner for a take-back of the lead. Both teams appeared content to go try for try and Parra crashed over to once again even up the scores at 4-4 going into the final quarter.

5 mins into the last stanza of play Sharks Dionn Haratsaris bagged his double going over in the corner and giving the Sharks the lead once again.

Just a few minutes later Sharks Sasha Popovic kicked and chased and after getting tackled without the ball received the penalty. Taking advantage Isaiah Whetu scored to finally give the Sharks some breathing room on the scoreboard now leading 6-4.

With just 4 minutes left in the game Sharks Riley Burton crashed over to score leaving no doubt about the result.

Despite a Parramatta try on the siren the young Sharks were simply too fast, too fit and more enthusiastic winning 7-5. A great game played in good spirit by both of these young sides.

***

Don’t forget to visit ourfootyteam.com and sharks.com.au for all of the results, competition ladders, more photos as well as to stay up to date with all the latest news about the Sharks and Sharks junior representative teams.

Pictures: Adam Wrightson

For high resolution photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vXhQM7f84oFgqsNRA

The post Sharks Academy u16’s graduate in style against the Parra Eels appeared first on OurFootyTeam.