Round 25
Wests Tigers 6 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 32

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

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

Sharks march on towards Finals
Sat August 30, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

The Sharks have continued their march towards the finals with a convincing 32-6 victory over the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

Building on a first 20 minutes which saw them race to an 18-0 lead, the Sharks went on to dominate their rivals in another outstanding defensive performance.

Capping off a tumultuous week, one in which star five eighth Greg Bird has been stood down indefinitely for an alleged off-field incident, the Sharks showed a resilience that impressed their coach Ricky Stuart.

"The way they played tonight showed just what I've been telling you guys for a while now," Stuart said. "I have a very tough group of boys here and I'm proud to be associated with them."

Stuart had every right to be proud of the way his side was able to hold the potent attack of the Tigers to just one try, while his team was able to put on five of their own.

And again it was a team effort, with the forwards leading the way, Brett Kimmorley and Brett Seymour directing the team brilliantly and at the same time providing the perfect link with the backline.

Seymour was rewarded for his performance by being named the man-of-the-match by broadcaster Channel 9.

The game started with the Sharks going on the front foot almost from the opening whistle. Putting the Tigers under pressure the Sharks were unfortunate not to put first points on the board in just the fifth minute of the match when Fraser Anderson was held up over the line.

They didn't have to wait long however, with Misi Taulapapa sliding over on the end of a well worked backline play in the next set of six tackles. Luke Covell kicked the extra two from near touch and the Sharks led 6-0.

Continuing their dominance the Sharks didn't have to wait long to add to their score, this time it was Covell scoring one of his trademark tries out wide, climbing over his opposite number to grab a Seymour cross kick to touch down.

Covell was again accurate with his conversion attempt from the sideline and the Sharks had scored a point and minute to go in front by 12-0.

Again the Sharks marched down the field and again their efforts were rewarded, Anderson stepping off his right foot in beating his opponent and on this occasion he wouldn't be denied, the rangy back rower planting the ball down for his team's third try of the night. Covell kicked truly and after just 20 minutes the Sharks were ahead by 18-0.

A Covell penalty goal took the margin out to 20, before Bronson Harrison scored for the Tigers, converted by Brett Hodgson, to make the score 20-6 at the break.

The second stanza turned into something of an arm wrestle, with neither side able to add to their half time totals, until a Tigers error contributed to the next score, one which saw the Sharks seal the result.

The Sharks fourth try of the night came when a loose Benji Marshall pass was fumbled by Ryan O'Hara, with Seymour scooping up the ball before sprinting 30 metres to score under the uprights.

The final nail in the Tigers coffin came six minutes from fulltime, with Brett Kearney celebrating his return after a week on the sidelines with a hip injury by dashing some weak defence before beating fullback Hodgson with a swerve and scoring adjacent to the posts.

While Seymour was justifiably awarded the television player of the game, he had a number of willing helpers. Anderson was outstanding out wide, causing constant headaches for the Tigers defence, while Luke Douglas was a tower of strength in the middle of the field.

Taulapapa was his usual energetic self, Pomeroy found plenty of open space with the ball in his hands and Covell was again reliable with both his general play, while he was also perfect with the boot, kicking six goals from six attempts, three of those goals coming from next to the touch line.

With a 16 point tally Covell now has the pole position in the race to be top point scorer for 2008. To date this season he has crossed for 14 tries and has kicked 66 goals for a total haul of 188 points. His nearest rival, Luke Burt from Parramatta, is now 31 points in arrears, although he has a match in hand this weekend against St George Illawarra.

With their win, the first by the Sharks after nine consecutive losses to the Tigers, sees them move to 36 competition points, meaning they cannot finish any worse than third on the NRL ladder.

The Sharks now return home for their final game of the regular season, a match against the North Queensland Cowboys. That match is scheduled for a 7.30pm kickoff at Toyota Stadium.

Minute by minute scoring
6 mins - Misi Taulapapa try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 6-0
12 mins - Luke Covell try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 12-0
20 mins - Fraser Anderson try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 18-0
25 mins - Luke Covell penalty goal - Sharks 20-0
36 mins - Bronson Harrison try, Brett Hodgson goal - Sharks 20-6
Half time
68 mins - Brett Seymour try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 26-6
74 mins - Brett Kearney try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 32-6
Misi Taulapapa, Luke Covell, Fraser Anderson, Brett Seymour, Brett Kearney tries, Luke Covell 6 goals

Report Source: www.sharks.com.au


Farah out of crucial home clash against Sharks
Thu August 28, 2008
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

A right ankle injury has forced Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah out of Friday night's match against Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval.

Farah did not train with the team today. He hopes to return next week against the Gold Coast Titans.

His injury means Wests Tigers now head into the 'must win' match against the Sharks without Farah, prop Keith Galloway (foot) and centre Dean Collis (knee) and suspended prop Todd Payten.

Furthermore, captain and full-back Brett Hodgson is now in doubt for his final home match with a leg injury.

Coach Tim Sheens won't finalise his starting team until late tomorrow.

Second-rower Chris Heighington has urged all Wests Tigers Members and supporters to get out to Leichhardt Oval on Friday and help lift to team to a much needed victory.

"Our members and supporters had a right to be disappointed at last week's performance, so we are preparing to dig deep and show our faithful followers how much their support means,'' Heighington said.

Gates open on Friday at 5:10pm, with the NYC kicking off at 5:15pm and the NRL at 7:30pm.

News Source: www.weststigers.com.au

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