The match was the Sharks’ final hit out before their round one opener against the Gold Coast Titans on Monday, March 10, at home. Coach Tony Herman will need to stiffen their defence up, especially on the left side, after his side conceded six tries.
Wests Tigers scored their first two tries through Marion Seve and Delouise Hoeter by attacking the Sharks’ left edge for a 10-0 lead after six minutes.
Soft defence on their own line saw the Sharks trail 14-0 when Wests Tigers lock Matthew Woods spun out of a tackle to crash over next to the posts. Half-back Eli Levido converted the try for a 16-0 lead after 23 minutes.
Cronulla Sutherland got on the board in the 28th minute when lock Sage Wilder burrowed his way over from dummy half next to the posts. Centre Taylar Garrett converted to leave the Sharks trailing 16-6.
The Sharks were made to pay for some poor handling when Wests Tigers centre Nathan Milone crossed over in the 35th minute for a 20-6 lead. Woods converted the try for a 22-6 scoreline that remained that way till half-time.
2nd Half
The Sharks produced some attacking flair a minute after half-time to keep the ball alive on the last tackle with half-back Alex Zarounas touching the ball three times in the 40 metre raid upfield. It was to no avail in the end.
Wests Tigers were the first to score in the second half when Andrew Kazzi crashed over on the right side for a 26-6 lead after 44 minutes.
Cronulla Sutherland got back to 26-10 in the 50th minute when Lachlan Jackson slammed the ball down with one hand. Garrett failed to convert the try.
The Sharks did manage to show some grit in defence on their line by scrambling to keep Wests Tigers out a few minutes later.
However the pressure again told on the right side when Mason Farrell crashed over out wide for a 30-10 lead after 60 minutes. Farell converted his own try for a 32-10 lead.
Tom Satterthwaite completed the tryscoring when Wests Tigers shifted the ball left for the winger to score out wide for a 36-10 scoreline.
Wests Tigers 36 (Marion Seve, Delouise Hoeter, Matthew Woods, Nathan Milone, Andrew Kazzi, Mason Farrell, Tom Satterthwaite tries; Woods 2 goals, Eli Levido goal, Mason Farrell goal) d Sharks 10 (Sage Wilder, Lachlan Jackson tries, Taylar Garrett goal)
Sharks team
1 David McKenna 5 Joshua Addo-Carr, 4 Taylar Garrett, 17 Anthony Moriatis, 2 Alan Niulesa, 6 Taylor Bennett, 7 Alex Zarounas, 10 Jake Goodwin, 9 Kurt Drysdale, 21 Chad McGill, 11 Patrice Siolo, 12 Zane Walford, 18 Ben Chahoud; interchange 13 Sage Wilder, 14 Kalausa Leha, 15 Levy Sopi, 16 Justin Rodrigues, 19 Harrison Muller, 20 Sam Rauicava, 22 Tuli Leota, 24 Lachlan Jackson, 27 Jake Lawrence.
