After the euphoria of their Grand Final victories last weekend the Sharks Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams have the chance to create more history when they contest National Championship matches on Saturday.
The Matthews Cup Sharks were outstanding in beating the Eels 30-16 last weekend, while in the SG Ball decider it was again the Sharks, this time to the tune of 24-16 over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Matthews Cup victory was the fourth in the history of the Cronulla club, the last win coming back in 2001, while it was the first-ever triumph for the Ball Sharks in the NSWRL under-18’s competition.
Courtesy of their wins, the Sharks now move on to contest National Finals against the Queensland champions the Townsville Stingers who like the Cronulla club were successful in taking out both their state age group titles.
The matches are set down for Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday, with the under-16’s match at 11.00am, the under-18’s at 1.00pm.
As was the case last weekend the games will be streamed live on the NSWRL and Sharks websites for those unable to make the trip to Belmore. Stay tuned throughout the week for more details.
The Sharks have released team lists for both matches and understandably coach’s Glenn Brailey and Dave Howlett have stuck solid with those players who got the job done in the respective Grand Finals last weekend.
And in further Junior Rep news, both Grand Finals will be shown on Fox Sports this week from 2.30pm on Thursday. Check Foxtel guides for your local area to confirm.
Under 16’s National Championship
Sharks v Townsville Stingers
Belmore Sports Ground
Saturday, May 16
Kick-off – 11.00am
1 Dylan Smith
2 Bronson Xerri
3 Semisi Kioa
4 Jack Gould
5 Julian Spanos
6 Kai Broadhurst
7 Luke Metcalf
8 Fine Kula
9 Tamati McCausland
10 James Roumanos
11 Jaeman Salmon
12 Jay Shearman
13 Lachlan Smith ©
Interchange
14 Pita Toamotu
15 Monty Raper
16 Trace Davidson
17 Rhys Ward
18 William Swann
Under 18’s National Championships
Sharks v Townsville Stingers
Belmore Sports Ground
Saturday, May 16
Kick-off – 1.00pm
1 William Kennedy
2 Josh Tuilagi
3 Curtis Scott (C)
4 Keenan Yorston
5 Cameron Scott
6 Kyle Flanagan
7 Jack Williams
8 Daniel Vasquez
9 Blayke Brailey
10 Brock Ilett
11 Jesse Savage
12 Luis Strickland
13 Billy Magoulias
Interchange
14 Jaiden Brown
15 Reece Gair
16 Tony Matautia
17 Soakimi Tuitavuki
18 Justin Timu
19 Amo Lualua
21 Isaac Lumelume
