After solid outings in Canberra last weekend the Sharks Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams will have their final trial hit outs on Saturday at Remondis Stadium.
The young Sharks tackle Newcastle on Saturday (February 7) on the main stadium field, with Harold Matthews getting underway at 3.30pm, followed by the SG Ball match at 5.00pm. Entry to Remondis Stadium will be free.
While the Knights trial represents the last opportunity for the Sharks to finalise teams and work on combinations, both squads took another step forward towards season kick off with solid performances in Canberra last weekend.
In the Matthews Cup trial Canberra scored two early tries before the Sharks responded to tied up the match at half time, with the Sharks then going on to score another three tries in the second half in registering a narrow victory.
William Swann carried a number of defenders across the line for one impressive Sharks try, with Jack Gould completing a hat trick with a first half four-pointer and two more tries in the second period.
Overall our under 16 Sharks gave a good account of themselves in the nation’s capital against a strong Raiders outfit in finishing with a 30-24 victory.
In the 18’s the Sharks showed glimpses of their potential against a determined Canberra side that played very well on the day.
The Raiders raced to an early three try lead however after some good passages of play the young Sharks dragged back the momentum with three tries of their own to take a narrow lead.
Canberra then took advantage of a series of Sharks errors and penalties to gain an ascendancy which this time the SG Ball Sharks couldn’t wrestle back.
“It was a game played where there were some moments and sections of brilliance from the U18s boys but there is also scope for improvement,” Sharks Development Manager Vinh Tran said. “With another pre-season hit-out against the Newcastle Knights coming up this weekend, it will give Coach Dave Howlett another opportunity to work on combinations.”
In addition to the two Newcastle trial matches the Sharks Academy teams will also be in action in games against Bulldogs.
Also scheduled for Saturday, the academy games will be played at the new fields at Cronulla High School, with under 15’s kicking off at 9.00am, followed by the under 17’s at 10.30am.
The Sharks junior rep teams have been given the bye in round one, with their season to officially begin on February 21.
