Flegg Sharks too hot for the Raiders
In what developed into a battle of attrition in a match played in 35 degree heat, the Jersey Flegg Sharks have proven too ‘hot’ for their opponents in the Raiders, scoring a 28-16 victory to continue their strong start to the 2023season.
The Sharks were somewhat hampered by the loss of half back and playmaker Cody Fuz midway through the first half, however a commanding performance from their forward pack paved the way for the young Cronulla team’s third win in as many starts.
Prop Lachlan Crouch played huge and effective minutes in the steamy conditions, Max Bradbury was strong, with both edge back rowers in Harry O’Kane and Toby Boothroyd dangerous with ball in hand and reliable in defence.
The game began in the worst possible fashion for the Flegg Sharks, a length of the field try to the Raiders after an average kick and poor chase put the Raiders on top 6-0 just two minutes into the contest.
From there however the Sharks managed to get back into the grind, win the field position and possession battle and it was half back Cody Fuz slicing through to score adjacent to the posts, with the successful conversion from Max Riolo levelling the scores at 6-apice.
The Sharks would again go onto the attack with Toby Boothroyd running an outstanding line on the right edge to break through then evade the fullback in a 30-metre dash to the try line.
Riolo was again on target and the Sharks led 12-6.
Some attacking brilliance from fullback Manaia Waitere pushed the Sharks lead out further, a chip kick was gathered by Blake Hosking, with Noah Lester on the inside to accept the pass and dive over under the uprights.
The Raiders would responded late in the half with a try in the south-eastern corner of GIO Stadium and the teams went to half time with the Sharks 18-12 in front.
Without half back Fuz who suffered an arm injury and prop Max Bradbury (shoulder) the Sharks were down to 15 players in the second period and making their job that little bit harder it would be the Canberra side to score first after the break, winger Utuloa Asomua showing good strength to crash over wide out.
The conversion attempt sailed wide, with the Sharks clinging to a two point advantage, however it was one they would build on after Thomas Crossle had made a line break down the eastern touchline, two tackles later Sam Healey slid over from dummy half for his teams fourth try of the afternoon.
With the Riolo conversion the Sharks had an eight point lead at 26-16 with still more than 25 minutes of the game remaining.
In the oppressive conditions it became a survival of the fittest and most resilient in the last quarter of the match, and that would ultimately be the Sharks, winger Cain Barnes doing a good job to finish off an exchange of passes to ground the ball centimetres in from the touch line for the final score, with the Sharks closing out match with a 28-16 win.
The victory was the Flegg Sharks third in an encouraging start to their 2023 season.
Their next match is against the Dragons on Saturday.
SHARKS 28
Cody Fuz, Toby Boothroyd, Noah Lester, Sam Healey, Cain Barnes tries, Max Riolo 4 goals
beat
CANBERRA 16
