Round 13
Penrith Panthers 22 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24

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

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

Sharks score impressive away victory
Mon June 9, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Holding firm after a dominant opening 40-minutes, the Sharks have scored a 24-22 victory over the Panthers at CUA Stadium.

The Sharks crossed for four first half tries in building an 18-6 advantage and jumped out to a 24-10 lead in the second stanza before the Panthers made the score line look more respectable than it probably should have with two converted tries in the final four minutes of the match.

Without Greg Bird and Paul Gallen who were on State of Origin duty, it was a performance which certainly pleased coach Ricky Stuart.

"We didn't talk about not having those two players before the match, the boys just know they're not there," Stuart said. "But the players who came in did a great job for us.

"The first 40 minutes was a continuation of the last 40 minutes last week where we managed to score some good tries. This is s tough place to come and win so I'm happy to be going home with the two competition points."

Stuart also praised the leadership of stand-in captain Brett Kimmorley, who kicked intelligently and had the right words of encouragement for his team mates when needed.

"I probably needed to do a bit more talking today with two of our leaders and our better talkers out of the game. But I was happy to be able to do that," Kimmorley said.

The match began poorly for the Sharks when after receiving a second set of tackles following a knocked down pass, a grubber kick into the in goal was pounced upon by Panther Michael Jennings for the first try of the afternoon.

Jarrod Sammut, Penrith's field goal hero the first time the two teams met earlier this year kicked the conversion and barely before the match had started the Panthers had taken a 6-0 lead.

The Sharks however would respond and with probably their best try of the 2008 season.

Following a Kimmorley line break the Sharks half found Ben Pomeroy in support. Showing great strength to shrug off the defence, Pomeroy popped a pass to Kimmorley, who shovelled the ball to Brett Seymour, with the five eight putting through a perfectly weighted kick for Luke Covell to score.

The Sharks would then take the lead just seven minutes later and this time from a well worked set move, with Seymour putting Mitch Brown into a hole, the young fullback passed to Misi Taulapapa in support, who threw the final ball for Pomeroy to score. Covell kicked truly and the Sharks had the lead at 10-6.

Again showing a willingness to spread the ball the Sharks busted the Panthers line, and this time it was Seymour slicing through down the blind side to dive over in the corner. With around 10-minutes of the first half remaining Sharks had taken a 14-6 lead.

Their was a lucky let off when the video ref denied Penrith a try after Kimmorley was pushed in the scramble for ball in the in goal, before the Sharks would reply with their fourth four-pointer of the half when a Seymour cut out gave Covell a clear passage to the line.

The Sharks winger shaved the upright with his conversion attempt from touch with the siren sounding in the background, however his side would go to the break ahead 18-6.

The second stanza turned into something of an arm wrestle with neither side able to assert any real authority, however after gaining a repeat set of six from a drop out, it was Penrith who would work their way back into the contest through a try out wide.

The Panthers try to the diminutive Sammut was some kind of retribution for the four Sharks touchdowns being conceded down his side of the field.

The Sharks had an opportunity to stretch their lead through a penalty goal attempt, however while the normally reliable kicker was off with the boot he was more than making up for it in other areas, Covell jumping over that man Sammut again to claim the ball and plant it down for his third try of the afternoon.

Covell handed the kicking duties to Seymour, who then calmly potted over the conversion from near the eastern touch line.

Throwing the ball from sideline to sideline the Panthers managed two late tries and in a frantic final 30-second threatened one more, before Taulapapa knocked the ball from Luke Rooney's grasp and the Sharks had come out deserved victors on the day.

While the Sharks had a number of strong performers, the stand out was definitely five eighth Seymour, with his running, kicking and defensive work first class. Not far behind him was Kimmorley, while Luke Douglas was a tower of strength up front.

The only negative on the day was a knee problem to front rower Adam Peek, with the veteran set to be out of action for up to a month.

The Sharks now turn their attention to next Saturday night and a match up with the New Zealand Warriors.

That match will be played at Toyota Stadium with a kick off time of 7.30pm.

Minute by minute scoring
2 mins - Michael Jennings try, Jarrod Sammut goal - Panthers 6-0
13 mins - Luke Covell try - Panthers 6-4
20 mins - Ben Pomeroy try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 10-6
29 mins - Brett Seymour try - Sharks 14-6
39 mins - Luke Covell try - Sharks 18-6
Half time
56 mins - Jarrod Sammut try - Sharks 18-10
67 mins - Luke Covell try, Brett Seymour goal - Sharks 24-10
76 mins - Trent Waterhouse try, Jarrod Sammut goal - Sharks 24-16
79 mins - Shane Rodney try, Jarrod Sammut goal - Sharks 24-22

Sharks 24
Luke Covell 3, Brett Seymour, Ben Pomeroy tries, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour goals

Beat the

Panthers 22
Michael Jennings, Jarrod Sammut, Trent Waterhouse, Shane Rodney tries, Jarrod Sammut 3 goals

News Source: www.sharks.com.au

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