Round 22
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28 d. South Sydney Rabbitohs 14

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

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

Sharks move to equal first with win over Souths
Mon August 11, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

The Sharks have moved to equal top spot on the premiership table with a solid 28-14 victory over South Sydney in their round 22 match played at Toyota Stadium.

Afterwards Sharks coach Ricky Stuart praised his players for their effort under adversity and was left scratching his head after his side was on the wrong end of a lop-sided 11-1 first half penalty count from referee Ben Cummins.

However showing the resolve in defence they have become known for throughout the 2008 season, the Sharks repelled numerous Souths attacking raids in the first 40 minutes before asserting some dominance in the second term and coming away with what in the end was a convincing victory.

"I've got a tough bunch of players here, and its probably just as well considering what they were up against in the first half," Stuart said. "I was a little bit worried at half time to tell you the truth, with all the defence they were forced to do. I'm very happy with the two points."

The Sharks were forced to defend desperately in the early moments following a handling error and a flow of penalties to the Rabbitohs, however all their opponents could come up with from their opening raid was two points from a Chris Sandow penalty goal.

With some field position and a greater share of possession the Sharks worked their way into opposition territory and after shifting the ball to the left it was Ben Pomeroy to cross for their first try, a determined effort where he beat a couple of defenders to touch down under the posts.

Luke Covell converted and after eight minutes the Sharks led 6-2.

Neither side was able to gain any distinct advantage in the next period of the game and it took until the 25th minute for the score line to alter and again it was through Pomeroy. The Sharks centre cut back inside and crashed through to touch down for his second try of the night and with Covell adding the extras the Sharks went ahead by 12-2.

The backend of the first half was then all Souths, aided by an unbelievably lopsided penalty count against the home team, with Souths continually piggy-backed into an attacking position on the field as a result of some bewildering decisions.

Finally the Sharks defence did crack under the weight of the whistle, with David Kidwell popping a ball for replacement hooker Beau Falloon to score from close range.

Sandow kicked the extras and it was a four-point ball game.

Again Cummins caned the Sharks in the final minutes leading into half time but they held firm to take their 12-8 lead to the break.

Ironically it was a penalty in their favour which saw the Sharks move down the field in the early moments of the second period and a from a cleverly worked back line movement, winger Luke Covell was on the end of a Brett Kearney cut out pass to dive over wide out. He narrowly missed his conversion attempt but the Sharks had an eight-point buffer at 16-8.

In the 55th minute of the match the Sharks were in again, this time it was Brett Seymour slicing through 10-metres from the try line to go over virtually untouched. Covell was on target on this occasion and the Sharks took a commanding 22-8 lead.

Then just five minutes later they put the result beyond doubt, with David Simmons incepting an errant pass from halfback Sandow to race 45 metres to score adjacent to the posts. With Covell's fourth successful kick of the night the Sharks led 28-8 with less-than 20 minutes of the match remaining.

Souths gave themselves a glimmer of hope in the 64th minute when Nathan Merritt scooted away after some good lead up play from centre Beau Champion, but it was too little too late.

While the Sharks had a number of outstanding performers on the night, centre Pomeroy, back rower Fraser Anderson and fullback Brett Kearney stood out as being among their best.

Covell, with 12 points from a try and four goals also extended his lead at the top of the NRL leading point scorers list. He is now on 156 points for the season, 13 clear of the second-place Luke Burt from Parramatta.

The victory and subsequent two competition points saw the Sharks move to 32 and into equal first place with Melbourne and Manly. With the Broncos going down to the New Zealand Warriors on the same night the Sharks now have a five-point buffer to Brisbane who are currently in fifth position.

The Sharks will now head across the Tasman to try to do what Brisbane and the Melbourne Storm couldn't, which is to score a victory against the New Zealand Warriors in the hostile environment of Mount Smart Stadium.

That match is scheduled for a 7.30pm kickoff Auckland time (5.30pm AEST).

The Sharks next home game is on Friday, August 22 against the Sydney Roosters.

Minute by Minute scoring
4 mins - Chris Sandow goal - Souths 2-0
8 mins - Ben Pomeroy try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 6-2
25 mins - Ben Pomeroy try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 12-2
31 mins - Beau Falloon try, Chris Sandow goal - Sharks 12-8
half time
43 mins - Luke Covell try - Sharks 16-8
55 mins - Brett Seymour try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 22-8
60 mins - David Simmons try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 28-8
64 mins - Nathan Merritt try, Chris Sandow goal - Sharks 28-14

SHARKS 28
Ben Pomeroy 2, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, David Simmons tries, Luke Covell 4 goals
beat
SOUTHS 14
Beau Falloon, Nathan Merritt tries, Chris Sandow 3 goals

Report Source: www.sharks.com.au

Advanced Search