In a continuation of the association linking the Sharks and the Taren Point Touch Association, a partnership which creates another NRL-supported rugby league pathway, four teams travelled to Port Macquarie to compete in the Senior State Cup competition.
Playing in Sharks colours, the Taren Point Touch teams took part in the Men’s Opens, the Men’s over 40 and over 50’s and the Women’s 30’s in a big weekend of touch football held on the far north coast.
The most successful of those teams were the Women’s 30’s who managed to claim their second-straight State Cup competition.
Women’s 30's Coach Glenn Anthony was understandably proud of the efforts of his team in winning back-to-back titles and in the resilience they showed to get the job done after an arduous campaign.
“During the weekend, we had a number of girls suffer various injuries but by the time we reached the finals everyone put those injuries behind them and we played the final with the full 14, which was a credit to the guts and determination of this group of beautiful ladies,” Anthony said.
The State Finals were the culmination of six weeks of hard work in the lead in and despite a hiccup with a first-round loss to their eventual finals opponents in Manly, the Women’s 30’s were victorious by 4-1 in a hard-fought decider.
Over the 10 games played during the tournament the girls conceded just seven tries while scoring 65, with their skill and ball movement a feature of their play.
While all in the squad made a major contribution, Corinne May’s efforts in scoring 25 tries, more than any other team during the competition let alone scored by an individual, was the standout performance of the weekend. Not surprisingly May was named Sharks Player of the Series.
“What a great weekend and what a great effort, two in a row. Now the question on everyone’s lips is can we make it 3,” Anthony said.
As for the Men’s results, the Open’s progressed to the Semi Finals before being beaten by St George, the 40’s were eliminated in the quarter finals, while the 50’s took out the second division bowl event.
The Men’s 40 State Cup team, a squad consisting of 11 returning and three new players, with five wins, a draw and just one loss from their seven games, were pleased with their efforts over the course of the weekend.
“The results may say that we lost the quarter final, however this doesn’t reflect the success, the hard work and how well the team played during the tournament over the 3 days,” Men’s 40’s coach Darren Shelley said. “We played our hearts out and never gave up during any game.”
“As I said to the boys I could not be prouder of them with their efforts and contributions during the whole campaign. We played some of the best touch I have seen a 40’s team play in years and everyone is walking away a better player,” Shelley added.
The over 40’s boys enjoyed some outstanding results, including a draw against last year’s champions Penrith and a narrow loss to rivals Wallsend.
Robbie Brien received the Player’s Player game ball award, narrowly in front of Dave Rose and Brad Wardrobe.
Shelley added his congratulations to the other teams representing the Sharks and Taren Point Touch
“The club had a very successful weekend and everyone should be very proud of their efforts,” he said
Sharks partner with Taren Point Touch Association to send teams in both the junior and senior state cup, facilitating their support by providing the playing kit.
Please see below the results for the men’s open, men’s 40’s and men’s 50’s sides.
Cronulla Men’s Open
Cronulla Sharks 7 - Hornsby Lions 2
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Sydney Uni 7
Cronulla Sharks 12 - Parks Pumas 5
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Newcastle City 5
Cronulla Sharks 3 - South West Sydney 5
Cronulla Sharks 6 - Western Suburbs 2
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Defence Warriors 6
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Lower Blue Mountains 0
Quarter Final - Cronulla Sharks 7 - Northern Beaches 3
Semi Final - Cronulla Sharks 3 - St George Dragons 5
Cronulla Mens Masters (40’s and over)
Cronulla Sharks 6 - Ballina Bullsharks 3
Cronulla Sharks 10 - Lower Blue Mountains 1
Cronulla Sharks 2 - Manly Sea Eagles 1
Cronulla Sharks 6 - Newcastle City 1
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Hills Hornets 2
Cronulla Sharks 3 - Penrith Panthers 3
Quarter final - Cronulla Sharks 3 - Wallsend Wolves 4
Cronulla Men’s 50’s
Cronulla Sharks 2 - Northern Beaches 6
Cronulla Sharks 5 - Western Suburbs 8
Cronulla Sharks 7 - Lower Blue Mountains 0
Cronulla Sharks 3 - Manly Sea Eagles 0
Semi Final - Cronulla Sharks 9 - Carlingford 0
Grand Final (Bowl/ Second Division) - Cronulla Sharks 6 - Beresfield 1
