A disappointing 20-minute period in the first half put paid to the chance of the NYC Sharks, with the young Cronulla side slumping to a 44-12 loss at the hands of the Melbourne Storm.
The match began well enough for the Sharks with a try on the opening five minutes, but from there they couldn’t stem the tide, five Storm tries, four of them in a 20-minute period and the match was as good as over.
The Sharks showed some resolve after the break, a Connor Tracey try the only points from either side in the first 30-minutes of the half, but three late Storm touchdowns confirmed their superiority.
The start of the match hardly reflected the final result, with a relatively easy Jayden Brailey try from dummy half in just the fourth minute, followed by the Jamayne Isaako conversion and the Sharks had a 6-0 lead.
A mistake from the kickoff, followed by another Sharks error when they failed ton find touch, from a penalty, both resulted in the Storm scoring and with their confidence shattered the Storm dominted the remainder of the first half.
In all the home team crossed the Sharks try line five times, all converted and at 30-6 down the visitors had plenty of work ahead of them.
As they did in the first 40 the Sharks began well in the second half, a try to half back Tracey adjacent to the uprights giving his team some heart at 30-12 with plenty of time left on the clock.
The Sharks continued to hang in over the next 25 minutes of the match, with neither side able to add to their tally, but in driving a final nail in the coffin a spectacular Storm try in the 72nd minute well and truly put the Sharks to bed.
Two more Melbourne tries added insult to injury in blowing the final scoreline out to 44-12 in the Storm’s favour.
The loss was the third in as many outings for the Sharks, who now return home to face the Titans next weekend very much in need of a victory.
SHARKS 12
Jayden Brailey, Connor Tracey tries, Jamayne Isaako 2 goals
lost to
MELBOURNE 44
