The two Sharks junior rep sides got down to business on Saturday with trial matches played on the back fields at Remondis Stadium.
The Harold Matthews Under 16 Sharks contested a three-way trial against South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) and the Canberra Raiders, before the SG Ball side clashed with their Canberra counterparts over four 30 minute periods.
The Matthews Cup Sharks began well enough against SWAS, before they were somewhat dominated by the Raiders in the second period. The nerves however settled for the young Sharks as the day went on as they more than held their own in a second 20-minute period against the Canberra boys.
While the Canberra side appeared somewhat more settled in terms of team numbers, the Sharks now move into the next phase of their preparations where the squad will be trimmed over the coming weeks into the final 25-player team.
As for the Under 18 SG Ball match, the first Sharks outfit struggled to contain the Raiders in the early exchanges, before the second Cronulla 13 gained some ascendency in the following 30-minute period.
The final outcome of the SG Ball trial saw the two clubs virtually level pegging with both teams with plenty to work on but likely to be satisfied with their performances with still three weeks to go before season kickoff.
The two young Shark teams move on to play a second trial match this coming Friday night at TG Milner Field against Balmain, with Matthews Cup getting underway at 5.00pm, to be followed by the SG Ball match.
The Sharks Junior reps will then play their final trial matches against Western Suburbs at Remondis Stadium on Saturday, February 8 before the start of the season proper on February 15.
