The Cronulla Sharks’ Women’s Series side has finished their season off with a bang, defeating the Canberra Raiders 34-4 at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
A menacing Jordan Baker kick off forced an early knock on and the Sharks were gifted a fresh set just 10 metres out from the Raiders’ line. Fullback Corban McGregor saw numbers out to the right but a dropped ball from Kate Mullaly saw the Raiders regain possession.
A Canberra error then allowed Jessica Sergis to snatch up a loose ball for a 30-metre break before knocking on in a tackle. Sergis soon redeemed herself with fancy footwork and a clean four-pointer to the right of the posts. Baker slotted the conversion and the Sharks led 6-0.
Minutes later, Mullaly would again be in the thick of the action, weaving her way past four Raiders defenders to crash over for a try. Another accurate Baker conversion pushed the home side further in front 12-0.
Cronulla would continue to apply pressure to win consecutive sets. The momentum to the Sharks saw Rima Butler fire an offload to Baker who sprinted down the right edge for another Sharks four-pointer. The Cronulla winger nailed an impressive conversion from the side line and the Sharks let 18-0 at half time.
HALF TIME SHARKS 18 RAIDERS 0
The Sharks opened the scoring in the second half, as Butler again charged through the middle to touch down. Baker slotted the conversion to edge her side ahead 24-0.
Canberra responded when Yasmin Meakes caught the women in Black, White and Blue off guard with a zippy line break. The ball then came to the Canberra vice captain Janaya Ottaway would then steam roll through the Sharks defence to put her side on the board. Sarah Carter booted the conversion and Cronulla would remain in front 24 – 4.
The Sharks retaliated almost immediately, with a sensational Rebeka Lally line break before passing to Botille Vette-Welsh who would sprint 20 metres to score another Sharks try. Baker added the two and the Sharks extended their lead to 30-4.
Strong tackling by captain Ruan Sims would force a late Raiders error and win possession back for the Sharks in the closing minutes. Butler once again fired a phenomenal offload, this time to Lally, who raced 40 metres to score another four-pointer for the home side. Baker converted to ice the cake for her side’s exciting 34-4 victory.
Sharks 34: Tries: Sergis (2), Baker, Butler, Bette-Welsh, Lally
Conversions: Baker (2)
Def.
Raiders 4: Tries: Ottaway
