The Sharks have recorded an emphatic 44-12 victory over the Sydney Roosters today at Central Coast Stadium.
The team effort in front of a vocal Sharks supporter base on the Central Coast was good to watch and something the team will hold close to them heading into the Bye Round next up.
Both sides traded early blows, however neither team were able to get any real field position in the Central Coast sun.
It would be the Sharks who would hit the scoreboard first, with James Maloney kicking a penalty goal from close range after 14 minutes.
The Sharks were again the next to trouble the scorers when they crossed for the first try of the afternoon.
Jack Bird crossed over for the black, white and blue after Luke Lewis drew in the defence giving Jack Bird space where he went himself, showed good strength and got over the line.
Maloney’s kick good and 8-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
The Roosters hit back after Luke Keary broke through some weak Sharks defence before putting a grubber through for Daniel Tupou who crossed for the home side’s firs try.
Michael Gordon converted and score 8-6 after 20 minutes.
The Sharks earnt consecutive penalties and worked their way deep into Roosters territory. With the run of momentum on their side, James Maloney turned the play back inside and found Valentine Holmes in open space 20m out who rans straight under the posts to go over untouched.
The try went to the TMO for a potential obstruction but the try was awarded.
Conversion successful and Sharks lead 14-6 after 24 minutes.
The Roosters were quick to hit back when they went down their left edge again to find Ryan Matterson in open space coupled with some weak Sharks defence to score the Roosters second try of the afternoon.
Michael Gordon had no trouble from the sideline, converting and taking the score to 14-12.
The Sharks worked the ball to the left of the field after forcing their way deep into Roosters territory.
Space would open up on the edge when the Roosters defence jammed in on the Sharks running outside backs finding Sosaia Feki unmarked on the flank who crossed over for another Sharks try.
Maloney’s conversion was successful and the Sharks were 20-12 up at the break.
The Roosters looked like they’d come to play in the second half, putting the pressure on the Sharks in defence attacking the defence with genuine vigour.
They went high to Gerard Beale at the back however the Kiwi international caught the ball in the in goal before running out to the 20 metre line.
Strong runs from Feki and Ricky Leutele through the middle of the park enabled space to open up for the visitors.
Ricky Leutele took on the ball in the 50th minute and put on a show and go on the left edge, before sliding through past Joseph Manu to extend the Sharks lead to 24-12.
Maloney’s conversion attempt was successful and the score went out to 26-12.
The Sharks saw their opportunity to pounce on a tiring Roosters outfit and pounce they did.
With the Roosters left edge Latrell Mitchel and Daniel Tupou tiring, the Sharks would shift the ball that way to find Gerard Beale unmarked to cross over for yet another Sharks try.
James Maloney again made no mistake with the kick and the score went out to 32-12.
With the Roosters faithful vocal, the tri-colours began to rally looking to pick up another try however, on Shark had other ideas.
Enter Luke Lewis.
As he did last week against the Manly Sea Eagles, Luke Lewis wound back the clock to yesteryear, picking up another intercept pass to go 80 metres and score a brilliant individual try.
James Maloney’s conversion was good from in front and the lead was now 38-12.
For the remainder of the match, both sides would throw everything they had at each other with bullocking forward runs and attempted sweeping backline plays however neither side could penetrate the opposition.
This was until the Sharks caught the Roosters napping right before the fulltime siren when the Sharks pushed the ball down their lethal left edge. Ricky Leutele again sliced through a would-be Manu tackle to cross for his second try of the afternoon, sending the Sharks fans into full voice; Up Up Cronulla!
James Maloney kicked his eighth conversion attempt from eight to send the score to 44-12.
That’s what it would remain and the Sharks were once again in the winner’s circle.
