Round 13
St.George-Illawarra Dragons 16 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Sharks hold out Dragons in controversial local derby
Mon June 11, 2007
Dragons forward Adam Peek became the 3rd player to be sent off this season as Cronulla continued their local derby domination over St George Illawarra winning 20-16 in a thiller.

Peek was given his marching orders by referee Tony Archer in the 48th minute after he hit elbowed Adam Dykes off the ball after he put in a clearing kick down field. Archer had no hesitation in sending off Peek as he follows Sonny Bill Williams and Michael Crockett to be sent off this season. Archer was the referee involved in the Williams controversy and on this occasion there was no doubt at all.

St George Illawarra started the match impressively going to an early 10-0 lead with talkative five-eighth Richard Williams and hard working lock Ben Creagh scoring tries from grubber kicks by Jamie Soward.

Cronulla worked their way back into the match with Mitch Brown scoring in the 19th minute and David Simmons crossing 10 minutes to lead 12-10 following two conversions from Luke Covell.

The Sharks went into half-time leading 12-10 and extended that lead four minutes after the break when Covell scored in the corner. Covell landed a bottler from the sideline to open up an eight point lead.

Drama happened in the 48th minute as Peek was sent off for a late elbow on Dykes after he kicked the ball and with the penalty being awarded within goal kicking range, Covell landed his 4th goal of the night to push the Sharks out to a 20-10 lead.

The incident inspired the Dragons and Ben Ellis crashed over in the 52nd minute to bring the Dragons back within four points following Soward's conversion.

St George Illawarra had all the field position and possession in the final 25 minutes, but the Sharks to their credit held firm in defence and scrambled all the way through desperation to hold out the Dragons who threw everything at their more fancied rivals.

Chase Stanley came within a blade of grass of scoring when he collected a bomb and had it for an age where the leg of Misi Taulapapa denied him the try in the most freakish of circumstances.

The Dragons had plenty of football of the Peek send off to win plenty of games, but a lack of creativity from their halves cost them dearly. Soward may have created the opening two tries with kicks, however, Roosters coach Chris Anderson was justified in preferring Mitchell Pearce to Soward with the latters game being entirely kick happy based. Williams more often than not near the line looked for the personal glory instead of playing for the team in what was his first game in the top grade since the famous war of words with Braith Anasta on Anzac Day.

Paul Gallen was absolutely sensational for the Sharks and one slip up by a New South Wales forward on Wednesday night will see Gallen rushed straight in for the 3rd and possibly deciding match. One thing though that Gallen would be best to cut out of his game was the milking of the high tackle penalty when he took the dive. Gallen is a tough competitor and doesn't need that stuff rubbish as part of his package as he's already a fine player. Getting up and winking to his team-mates smacks of arrogance and contempt for the way the game is played. It's time the NRL gets rid of the video to decide high tackles and allows the game to be played by men again.


Scott returns as Dragons celebrate 40 Years of Local Derby's
Tue June 5, 2007
Source: www.dragons.com.au

Former Shark Beau Scott will this week return from injury to face his former Club at OKI Jubilee Stadium in Monday night football where 40 years of "local derby's" between the Dragons and Sharks will be celebrated.

Scott who was a late withdrawal from last weeks match with an ankle injury has been named in the centres replacing NSW Origin Representative Matt Cooper.

Danny Wicks also returns to the NRL side replacing Corey Payne who will miss the game through suspension. Shellharbour junior Dan Hunt also returns to the team as part of a five man bench.

Unavailable Dragons are: Mark Gasnier (Pectoral), Wes Naiqama (Knee), Dean Young (Knee), Ben Hornby (Calf), Brett Morris (Shoulder), Ashton Sims (Knee), Mathew Head (Shoulder), Tom Hewitt (Hamstring) and Corey Payne (Suspended).

NRL
v Cronulla Sharks
7.00pm Monday 11 June
Oki Jubilee Stadium

Coach: Nathan Brown

1. Josh Morris
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Beau Scott
4. Keith Lulia
5. Chase Stanley
6. Rangi Chase
7. Jamie Soward
8. Justin Poore
9. Simon Woolford
10. Jason Ryles (c)
11. Danny Wicks
12. Chris Houston
13. Ben Creagh

Subs:
14. Adam Peek
15. Ben Ellis
16. Lagi Setu
17. Ricky Thorby
18. Dan Hunt
(one to be omitted)

Premier League
v Cronulla Sharks
5.00pm Monday 11 June
Oki Jubilee Stadium

Coach: Steven Price

1. Richard Williams
2. Rota Setu
3. Frank Samia
4. Sam Morath
5. Ronald Prince
6. Reece Blayney
7. Brad Davidson
8. Charlie Leaeno
9. Tony Caine
10. Ricardo Young
11. Ryan Powell (c)
12. Sam Isemonger
13. Matt Prior

Subs:
14. Casey Ellis
15. Pat Rosser
16. Rhys Lovegrove
17. James Jimenez
18. Brian West
(one to be omitted)

News sent by: www.dragons.com.au

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