Sharks four-game Saturday

Sharks Stadium is set to host a ‘super Saturday’ schedule of four matches, with Sharks junior rep and Academy teams, as well as the NSW Cup side in action tomorrow.

The NSW Cup Sharks will look to build on an impressive first up victory when they host the Souths NSW Cup feeder side the North Sydney Bears at 3.00pm on Saturday.

The Sharks battled back from an early 10-0 deficit in their match last weekend against the Tigers, with two late first half tries giving them a lead they would hold until the finish.

The NSW Cup Sharks eventually ran out 36-16 winners.

Again they will look to lock Tyrone Peachey, the scorer of two tries last Sunday, to spark the teams’ attack, with fellow back rower and new Sharks recruit Tupou Sopoaga sure to have greater impact following his first up run in the NSW Cup side last weekend. Peachey

In the backs Sosaia Feki will look to grasp his opportunity in the starting side in place of the injured Nathan Stapleton, while Melbourne’s Ben Hampton comes into the team at fullback with Nathan Gardner sidelined with a hamstring complaint.

Like the Sharks the Bears were successful in round one, chalking up a solid 38-16 win over the Bulldogs.

However while the NSW Cup Sharks close the day with their round two match up, the under 17 Academy side kick it off with a game against the Balmain Academy team.

A mixture of 17-year-old Sharks SG Ball squad members not selected this week in the Under-18 rep side, along with Sharks Academy players from local district clubs, take on the Tigers beginning at 10.45pm.

The match provides the young Sharks hopefuls with a chance to further their rugby league development against elite level opposition.

Following the Academy trial the Sharks District Junior rep sides then take to the field for round six matches, with the under 16 Matthews Cup boys first up at 12 noon.

Looking for a fifth victory in succession, the Matts Cup Sharks play the Sydney Roosters, with a victory potentially setting them up for a run at the competition finals with just three more matches to follow in the regular season.

Prop Daniel Vasquez has been in outstanding form for the Sharks, and with his ‘partner in crime’ fellow front rower Jye Challenor having recovered from injury and available for selection, coach Darren Capovilla is understandably optimistic about his teams chances against the Roosters.

And in the fourth game on Saturday, the SG Ball Sharks will be determined to get back on track following two narrow losses on consecutive Saturdays.

Two weeks ago the Ball Sharks travelled to Perth and came home on the end of a two-point loss, before suffering a similar fate when beaten 24-22 by the Illawarra Steelers in Wollongong in their most recent outing.

Despite having a couple of key players unavailable through injury, needing a win to stay in touch with the leading teams coach Dave Howlett will be expecting a bold showing from his team.

The SG Ball match between the Sharks and Roosters gets underway at 1.30pm.

Entry to Sharks Stadium on Saturday is $5 prior to half time of the SG Ball, at which time the official NSWRL-NSW Cup gate price of $10 will be charged. Entry includes a copy of Rugby League News, the official program for the NSWRL competitions.

Sharks Stadium Saturday

10.45am – Sharks 17’s Academy v Balmain Tigers

12 noon – Matthews Cup – Sharks v Roosters

1.30pm – SG Ball – Sharks v Roosters

3.00pm – NSW Cup – Sharks v North Sydney Bears