Round 19
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 d. Newcastle Knights 13

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

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

Knights CEO to accept breach
Mon July 21, 2008
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

Knights CEO, Steve Burraston has accepted but expressed his disappointment over the NRL's decision to hand down a $5,000 breach after he spoke out about another hefty penalty count, following Saturday's narrow loss to the Sharks.

Mr Burraston answered media questions about the club's frustrations with match officials last weekend.

"We have gone through every possible official channel with very genuine concerns about a number of interpretations and rulings over recent weeks," he said.

"We continue working to improve our situation but continue to concede more penalties than any other team. I might be watching a different game but from where I'm sitting we are not half a penalty count less disciplined than opposition teams.

"For several weeks we have asked questions through the proper channels, not always agreeing with the response, but accepting and working hard to improve. But again Saturday showed it made no difference again.

"There are a number of discrepancies that we will be seeking explanation for and I still can not understand the Bailey penalty, which I believe was the major turning point of the game."

Mr Burraston said he will not appeal the NRL's decision but the club will continue to seek clarification on unclear decisions and lop sided penalty counts.

"I'll cop it on the chin. I was a bit emotional and extremely frustrated. I think our coach and players are doing an amazing job and I feel for them. They don't deserve to lose games this way. We are much better than our position on the table shows.

Mr Burraston's parting comment was a call to arms of the faithful to be at EAS on Sunday in fine voice.

"In no way did I set out to offend anyone or to receive a breach but I had no where else to go and watching the replay several times has presented more questions that require answers from the match officials."

News Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au


Sharks sneak home against Knights
Mon July 21, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Two second half penalty goals have seen the Sharks erase a one-point half time deficit to sneak home to beat the Newcastle Knights by 16-13.

In a game where neither side could assert any real dominance, the Sharks stayed composed in the second half to hold out the Newcastle side and claim the all-important two competition points.

It was a tough win and one that earned praise from Sharks coach Ricky Stuart.

"Newcastle had a couple of new players in the side who played with plenty of enthusiasm, so to come away with a win was very pleasing," Stuart said. "Last year the way it went for us we probably don't get the breaks and probably don't win."

The first points of the night came after a slick backline passing movement from the Sharks, with David Simmons carrying his opposite number over the line to cross wide out.

Luke Covell continued his good run of kicking form in potting the conversion from close to touch and the Sharks would lead 6-0 after 13 minutes of the match.

On the back of a penalty against the Sharks the Knights would respond just four minutes later, lock Zeb Taia plucking a Jarrod Mullen kick out of the air to touch down under the posts. Kurt Gidley added the extras and the scores would be locked up at 6-all.

The Sharks looked to have retaken the lead in the 24th minute when Luke Douglas won the race to a loose ball in the in-goal area, however video referee Paul Simpkins ruled one of the Sharks chasers in front of the kicker and it would remain 6-all.

Just five minutes later however and the Sharks wouldn't be denied, when after some desperate passing had the Knights under pressure, Brett Kimmorley would put up a perfectly weighted kick, with Fraser Anderson jumping over the defence to claim the ball and score. Covell again converted and the Sharks led 12-6.

As they did earlier again the Knights bounced back, this time it was rookie Aku Uate scoring after teammate Cooper Vuna had climbed high to grab a Jarrod Mullen bomb. Gidley kicked the extra two points and the scores were again level at 12-all.

Then as the two sides were preparing to have a rest for half time, Knights half back Mullen slotted over a field goal to see his side take a one-point advantage to 'oranges'.

The second 40-minutes developed into a defensive struggle, with both teams throwing everything at the opposition for no result.

The Sharks would go in front once more and they did it through the boot of Covell, the Sharks winger kicking a 40-metre penalty goal for a play the ball infringement to put his team ahead 14-13.

While both teams had their chances to add to the scoreboard, the scores would remain the same until the 77th minute, when anothe penalty to the Sharks, this time for a high tackle on Misi Taulapapa, saw Covell slot another long range goal and seal the result.

In a match which was rough and rugged but wasn't necessarily an attacking spectacle, the forwards led the way, with Ben Ross a standout for the Sharks.

Ross was supported by Kade Snowden who played strongly against his old club, while skipper Paul Gallen again led from the front.

At the back Brett Kearney was dependable for the Sharks and threatened to break the Knights defence open on a number of occasions.

The next assignment for the Sharks is a match against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Friday night.

Minute by minute scoring
13 mins - David Simmons try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 6-0
17 mins - Zeb Taia try, Kurt Gidley goal - 6-all
29 mins - Fraser Anderson try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 12-6
35 mins - Aku Uate try, Kurt Gidley goal - 12-all
39 mins - Jarrod Mullen field goal - Knights 13-12
half time
57 mins - Luke Covell goal - Sharks 14-13
77 mins - Luke Covell goal - Sharks 16-13

SHARKS 16
David Simmons, Fraser Anderson tries, Luke Covell 4 goals
beat the
KNIGHTS 13
Zeb Taia, Aku Uate tries, Kurt Gidley 2 goals, Jarrod Mullen field goal

Crowd - 10,112

Report Source: www.sharks.com.au

LIVE SCORES & STATS
NRL: Sharks 16 v Knights 13
NYC: Sharks 4 v Knights 56

Advanced Search