It was a mixed day for the Sharks Junior Rep sides yesterday with the Matthews Cup and Tarsha Gale side scoring strong wins while the previously undefeated SG Ball side slipped to their first loss of the 2017 season.
In the Tarsha Gale match to kick off the mornings matches the Sharks girls scored a confidence-boosting 30-20 victory over the competition leading Eels in what was a clash of the top two teams in the Women’s under 18’s competition.
On the back of two losses it was a welcome return to form for the Sharks girls, who now return to the top of the table with just one game remaining in the regular season.
Akira Kelly had a big day for the Sharks, scoring three tries and kicking three goals.
Next up were the under 16 Matthews Cup boys and while heavily favoured the Sharks didn’t have it all there own way in the first half of the match.
The young Sharks found their groove however in the second period, running away with the match in registering a comfortable 38-12 triumph.
The win was an important one for the Sharks who are pushing for a top four finish and against a traditionally tough Panthers side the victory was a welcome one.
Eliah Veikoso crossed for two tries, one a long-range individual effort, back rower Rhys Daikin was strong in the forwards while young lock Billy Burke pleased coach Glenn Brailey with his effort.
The Sharks can consolidate a top four berth and two chances in the Matthews Cup finals with a win in their last round game next week.
After two wins the final game of the day didn’t go exactly to plan, with the previously undefeated Sharks going down by 24-18 to Penrith in a keenly contested match.
Coming off a 78-0 romp the previous week the Sharks couldn’t quite lift to the level of their well-credentialed opponents however the narrow loss should have them primed for a finals assault in the coming weeks.
The Matthews Cup and SG Ball Sharks both play the Western Sydney Academy next weekend, with the Tarsha Gale Cup side taking on Penrith, with all matches to be played at St Mary’s Stadium.
SG BALL
Penrith Panthers 24 (S Crichton 2, J.T Cardona, R Pritchard, M Faauila tries; T Westcott 2 goals) def Cronulla Sharks 18 (Luke Metcalf, Monty Raper, Bronson Xerri tries; Metcalf 3 goals)
MATTHEWS CUP
Cronulla Sharks 38 (Eiah Veikoso 2, Billy Burke, Thomas Demeio, Isaac Masima, Kai Parker, Douglas Levi tries; Demeio 4 goals) def Penrith Panthers 12 (E Wheeler 2, J Agaimalo tries)
TARSHA GALE CUP
Cronulla Sharks 30 (Akira Kelly 3, Quincy Dodd 2, Elly Hazelton tries; Kelly 3 goals) def Parramatta Eels 20 (J Wolfe 2, S Bent 2, B Starr tries)
