Two tries either side of half time, combined with a committed defensive effort, has seen the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Sharks continue their undefeated start to the 2020 season.
The Sharks scored four tries but were unsuccessful with all conversion attempts, however the 16-0 scoreline proved to be fair reflection of the difference between the two teams, with the Cronulla side now three wins from three matches.
Early in the contest the Sharks were their own worst enemies with a series of errors keeping their opponents in the contest however once they controlled the ball and the field position, Souths eventually cracked, centre Jamie Anne Wright throwing the final pass for youngster Zali Fay to score.
From near touch the conversion was waved away and the Sharks had a 4-0 lead.
Souths hung in for almost the remainder of the half but in the closing moments the Sharks would cross once more, this time on the opposite flank with a smart exchange of passing seeing Andie Robinson go over untouched.
Again from a difficult angle Maddi Studdon’s kick at goal was off target and it was 8-0 Sharks at the main break.
Holding firm in defence the Sharks were rewarded at the attacking end and again it a try scored as almost a carbon copy of the team’s first, Wright the provider and Fay touching down.
Now with the upper hand and looking to deliver the killer blow the Sharks spread the ball left once more, with their fourth try of the game coming after some clever footwork and line running from Talei Holmes, the back rower, one of her team’s best on the day, getting the ball down despite the attention of a couple of Souths defenders.
Unfortunately the fourth conversion attempt, again from wide out, was unsuccessful but at 16-0 the Sharks had secured a third win to remain one of only two unbeaten teams through the first four rounds of the competition.
For the Sharks Wright, in the unfamiliar position of centre did an outstanding job for coach Glenn Brailey, as did Holmes on the left edge.
In the forwards, hooker Keely Davis controlled the game well and lock Kaarla Cowen worked herself to a standstill, while halves Studdon and Corban McGregor were dangerous throughout.
The next assignment for the Sharks is a match against the third-placed Wests Tigers next Saturday afternoon at Campbeltown Stadium.
SHARKS 16
Zali Fay 2, Andie Robinson, Talei Holmes tries
beat
SOUTHS 0
Lead photo - Sharks fullback Jamie Chapman
Pic courtesy - Steve Montgomery - ourfootyteam.com
