Round 5
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Sharks survive scare to beat Souths
Mon April 14, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

On the back of another outstanding defensive effort the Sharks have chalked up their fourth win in five starts with a nail-biting 12-10win over Souths.

Starved of possession for much of the second half, the Sharks desperately defended their line to hold their opponents at bay and claim the all-important two competition points.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart was thrilled with the heart shown by his side when it appeared the better field position enjoyed by Souths would eventually take its toll on his team.

"We've got to score more points, but the boys stuck solid and defended their line," Stuart said. "I was proud of their effort.

"We hardly had the chance to start a set of six in their half of the field, so it was tough having to continually come out of our own end. We used up a lot of energy in defence but I want them to start using that type of energy when we've got the ball."

In control for much of the first stanza, the Sharks still managed to take a 12-6 lead to the break, but it was the try on the stroke of half time to Souths which gave them some encouragement going into the second half.

"If they don't get the run of play the last five minutes of the second half and then score that try, I think with them down on confidence the way they are at the moment we probably put them away," Stuart said.

The match began with Souths pressuring the Sharks line and looking likely to open the scoring, but it was David Simmons who would come up with an intercept, running the ball back 50 metres in turning defence into attack.

On the next set of six it would be skipper Greg Bird putting first points on the board, sidestepping past Roy Asotasi and David Kiwell before crashing over. Luke Covell converted and the Sharks would lead 6-0 after 12 minutes.

Both sides would then have their chances but it would be the Sharks who would add to their tally after an Isaac De Gois break down the middle of the field. While Souths managed to hold the Sharks out from scoring a try, an off-side penalty and subsequent kick at goal by Covell put the Sharks on top by 8-0.

The Sharks would extend their lead to 12-0 when Brett Seymour caught the Souths outside defence napping with a clever grubber for Covell to touch down in the north-western corner.

However just when it appeared the Sharks would take a handy two-converted try lead into half time, on the back of three straight penalties by referee Jason Robinson Souths would score adjacent to the posts through five eighth John Sutton.

Nathan Merrit added the extra two points and the Sharks would lead 12-6 at half time.

With Souths now enjoying the better of the field position they mounted a number of attacking raids on the Sharks and the efforts were rewarded when a couple of off loads created space out wide, with Beau Champion scoring a metre in from touch. Merritt missed with the conversion and the Sharks would cling to a two point lead.

The rest of the match saw Souths batter the Sharks line but the Sharks showed great will to keep turning them away in scraping home by the two point margin.

The Sharks forwards toiled hard on the night, Jacob Selmes, Luke Douglas and Fraser Anderson tackling themselves to a standstill, with Bird was a constant threat with the football in his hands and Kearney at the back solid as usual.

The Sharks now return to Toyota Park next week for their first home game of the 2008 season when they tackle the Penrith Panthers next Saturday night.

Minute by minute scoring
12 mins - Greg Bird try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 6-0
29 mins - Luke Covell goal - Sharks 8-0
32 mins - Luke Covell try - Sharks 12-0
39 mins - John Sutton try, Nathan Merritt goal - Sharks 12-6
HALF TIME
57 mins - Beau Champion try - Sharks 12-10

SHARKS 12
Greg Bird, Luke Covell tries, Covell 2 goals
beat
SOUTHS 10
John Sutton, Beau Champion tries, Nathan Merritt goal

News sent by: www.sharks.com.au


Fa'alogo back from suspension
Tue April 8, 2008
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their NRL and Toyota Cup sides to take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in round five of the NRL's Centenary Season this Monday 14 April at ANZ Stadium.

New Zealand international David Fa'alogo will play his first game for the Rabbitohs in 2008 this Monday night after completing his suspension. He will start in the second row with Luke Stuart reverting to the interchange bench.

First grade kicks off at 7pm with the Toyota Cup starting at 4:45pm.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. Nathan Merritt
2. Germaine Paulson
3. Fetuli Talanoa
4. Beau Champion
5. Shannon Hegarty
6. John Sutton
7. Jeremy Smith
8. Manase Manuokafoa
9. George Ndaira
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. David Kidwell (c)
12. David Fa'alogo
13. Ben Lowe

Interchange:
14. Beau Falloon
15. Dean Widders
16. Luke Stuart
17. Shannan McPherson

Coach - Jason Taylor

The Toyota Cup side is:

1. Luke Capewell
2. Sam Huihahau
3. Junior Seumanutafa
4. BJ Nathan
5. Jamie Ingram
6. Eddie Paea
7. Chris Sandow
8. John Kaifoto
9. Trent Trotter
10. Eddy Pettybourne
11. Aaron Hammett
12. Chris Farrell
13. Jason Clark (c)

Interchange:
14. John Joseph
15. Brad Lupi
16. Jake Leary
17. Dave Tyrrell
18. Rob Talai

Coach - Alan Wilson

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have one of the richest histories in Rugby League. Established in 1908, the South Sydney Club has won 20 first grade premierships and provided 62 internationals for the Australian side, and have famously worn their cardinal red and myrtle green colours since inception. The rebirth of the Rabbitohs began on 7 June, 2006 through a new partnership between Russell Crowe, Peter Holmes a Court and the then 8000 Members of the Club. The Rabbitohs made the semi-finals for the first time in 18 years in 2007, and have strengthened their season ticketed Membership to over 6,500 with over 12,000 total members in 2008.

News sent by: www.souths.com.au

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