Flegg Sharks fire for round one win
There were a few anxious moments, but the Jersey Flegg Sharks withstood a second half challenge by their opponents in recording a strong first up win.
The under-21 Sharks built up a nice early lead, held on during the middle stages of the match, before going on with the job late in the contest in scoring a 42-24 round one victory over the Canberra Raiders.
The Sharks were in control from the start of the game, Trentham Petersen scoring in first minute of the match, the try converted by Ryan Rivett, and with two more tries in the opening 20-minutes the young Cronulla side had jumped out to a commanding 18-0 advantage.
The Raiders responded, a converted try, then a penalty goal as the half time siren was sounding and it was 18-8 to the Sharks at the break.
Rivett, who along with prop Jack Martin, outside back Jordan Samrani and fullback Kade Dykes, has been training with the Sharks NRL squad, added to his team's lead with a solo effort in the early minutes of the second half and when he converted the try, at 24-8 it appeared the result was beyond doubt.
The Raiders however had other ideas, tries in the 41st and 47th minutes, both converted, brought the score back to 24-20, giving Sharks coach George Ndaira cause to be a little nervous.
Responding to the challenge, the Sharks again asserted their authority, Dykes getting over the line after an attacking raid down the right side, before skipper Kai Parker would streak away in a 25-metre dash for his second try of the afternoon to push the score out 36-20 and with time running out the two competition points were confirmed.
Canberra would manage a consolation try, before Martin crashed through the meat of the Raiders pack to score adjacent to the posts in completing the scoring.
Rivett was seven from seven with the boot in kicking the final goal.
The Sharks shared around the workload, with the forwards solid in laying the platform and giving the likes of Rivett, his halves partner Manaia Waitere and fullback Dykes time with the ball.
Next up for the Flegg Sharks is a game against the Parramatta Eels at PointsBet on Sunday.
SHARKS 42
Trentham Petersen 2, Kai Parker 2, Ryan Rivett, Kade Dykes, Jack Martin tries, Rivett 7 goals
beat
CANBERRA 24
