Capitalising on a number of advantageous refereeing calls, a series of Sharks errors and the weight of possession and field position, the North Queensland Cowboys ran away in the second half to record a comprehensive 34-10 victory over the Sharks.

In a match played at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide in front of 8,500 fans on a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Sharks were well in the contest at 6-4 behind at the break however circumstances combined to allow the Cowboys two tries in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza and the match was as good as over.

Avoiding questions about the error-riddled performance of the match officials, Sharks coach Ricky Stuart did express his confusion as to the way his side had performed after a strong week on the training paddock.

“The way we played out there, and every losing coach says it, but that’s not us out there,” Stuart said. “I’m dumbfounded, I feel sorry for them because they know that’s not them too.”

With a strong sea breeze at their backs the Cowboys enjoyed an advantage in field position in the early exchanges however a couple of errors, combined with some strong defence from the Sharks and their efforts would amount to nothing.

Somewhat against the run of play it was the Sharks who posted first points in the 16th minute.

After earlier being denied by video referee Tim Mander after what seemed a fair try, it would be the same combination of fullback Mitch Brown and Matt Wright to open the Sharks account, with a cleverly worked backline move resulting in the rookie centre touching down out wide.

Covell was wide with his conversion attempt but the Sharks had gone ahead by 4-0.

Both sides had their chances to put points on the scoreboard during the next period of the match, with neither able to cross the stripe, but it was the North Queenslanders who were next to score. A Jonathan Thurston grubber kick was pounced upon by Shannon Hegarty for the Cowboys try, with Thurston converting to put his team in front by 6-4 with less than seven minutes until the break.

The Sharks had a final shot at their opponents in the last few moments of the half but again the officials ruled in favour of the Cowboys with a Ben Pomeroy try disallowed due an earlier forward pass.

After the sideline official erred in not ruling the North Queensland player into touch after the second half restart, back to back penalties then put the Cowboys on the attack again. The Sharks managed to repel their opponents for two sets of six until they finally cracked, Luke O’Donnell crashing over next to the uprights. Thurston again added the extras and the Cowboys led by 12-4 after 46 minutes.

A 40-20 by Thurston again put North Queensland on the front foot and after a repeat set of six Willie Tonga would bounce out of a Luke Douglas tackle to score his teams’ third try of the afternoon. Thurston converted in the swirling breeze and the Sharks had it all to do at 18-4 behind.

After finally getting their hands on the ball the Sharks struck straight back, Pomeroy pushing out of a couple of would-be defenders before off-loading for Anthony Tupou to score. This time Covell was on target and the Sharks had given themselves some hope at 18-10 behind with 26 minutes still showing on the clock.

A penalty for a play-the-ball infringement allowed the Sharks to go back on the attack and they had appeared to bridge the gap even further when Covell dived over in the corner, however yet again the Sharks were denied, with Mander again ruling against the Sharks for an obstruction.

Rubbing salt into the Sharks wounds, the Cowboys marched down the field and would put the result almost beyond doubt, with Ben Farrer grasping another Thurston grubber to put his team ahead by 22-10.

The Cowboys would add to the Sharks pain with two more converted tries, Bowen darting over wide out, before Shane Tronc barged over from close range to make the final score 34-10 in favour of the Cowboys.

The Sharks had numerous willing workers on the day, with Corey Hughes, Reece Williams, Kade Snowden and Luke Douglas getting through a mountain of defence, while in the backline Brown was dangerous in the first 40-minutes, Pomeroy caused the Cowboys some concern down the left-hand side and Blake Ferguson added some energy to his side’s attack in a 25 minute cameo in the second half.

Struggling at 1-5 from their first six matches, the Sharks now face a short turn-around before tackling South Sydney in a match to be played at ANZ Stadium on Friday evening.

SHARKS 10
Anthony Tupou, Matthew Wright tries, Luke Covell goal
Lost to
NORTH QUEENSLAND 34
Willie Tonga, Ben Farrer, Shannon Heggarty, Shane Tronc, Matt Bowen, Luke O’Donnell tries Johnathan Thurston 5 goals

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