It wasn’t quite a rematch between last year’s World Club Challenge finalists and nobody was keeping count, however by anyone’s estimates it was an impressive outing for the Sharks in their pre-season scrimmage against English Super League giants the Wigan Warriors.
A Sharks side featuring new boys Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan, alongside the like of Chad Townsend, Valentine Holmes, Ricky Leutele and Wade Graham, looked sharp as they went through their plays on a warm summer evening at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
While scrimmages don’t feature the big defensive collisions and are somewhat contrived in the way the teams go about their business, all that considered, the first try to young gun Sione Katoa, with Dugan throwing the last pass, impressed those members and fans watching on.
Some of what Moylan did on the left-hand side displayed touches of class, while Dugan showed he is committed to the cause in making a spectacular covering tackle on a Wigan opponent who was dashing down the western sideline.
It was a short glimpse into what Sharks fans can look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.
The Sharks now turn their attention to the Manly Sea Eagles and a trial match on Saturday, with Wigan to play South Sydney at ANZ Stadium this weekend before heading home and trying to build on the two-win start to their 2018 season.
The Sharks trial team to play Manly, which is set to include Moylan, Holmes and Townsend, but is unlikely to feature Dugan, Paul Gallen or Graham, will be revealed later today.
The main trial on Saturday is scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm, with an Intrust Super Cup trial at 5.00pm and a Jersey Flegg match at 3.05. Gates to Southern Cross Group Stadium open at 3.00pm.
