Flegg Sharks tough out a win over Knights

Despite losing both halves during the game, while also dealing with other injury issues, the Jersey Flegg Sharks have scored a gutsy win over the Newcastle Knights in their round 12 match on Saturday.

Without half back Max Riolo who left the field just after the break and five eighth Cody Fuz forced off at the 20-minute mark of the first half, the Sharks were forced to dig deep before coming away with a 26-20 victory.

It was a performance which impressed coach Andrew Dallalana, with the win seeing the Sharks consolidate second position on the Jersey Flegg ladder.

“If you told me before the game we would lose both our halves and come away with a gritty win like that, I would have taken it every day of the week,” Dallalana said. “To lose both your halves, you obviously lose a lot of direction but guys playing out of position, standing up, we do a lot of it at training, boys playing out of position and guys doing different things, it’s a credit to them that they dial in at training and if something like that happens in a game, then they’re ready to go. “

The Sharks started fast, three tries while Fuz was still on the field seeing them jump out to a 16-0 lead at the 20-mark of the match, before their challenges began, with the Newcastle side getting a try before the break with the teams going to half time with the Cronulla team 16-6 in front.

After Riolo left the field for a head injury assessment, centre Ben Lavender crossed, with stand in kicker Kristian Dixon converting and the Sharks had a handy advantage at 22-6 in the early moments of the second period.

From that point the Knights would take advantage of the Sharks injury troubles, three tries bringing them to within two points with still plenty of time on the clock.

However on this occasion the Sharks wouldn’t be denied, a try wide out to winger Cain Bain putting them up 26-20, a lead they would hold over the finals 10 minutes in claiming the two competition points.

“It started well for us the then the injuries and a few concussions put us on the back foot a little bit, but it was a really resilient effort from the guys,” Dallalana offered.

“I still don’t think we were playing at 100 per cent, but it was pleasing at half time and we reiterated things where we just wanted to keep it simple and get through our sets. Then the second half was a different story, but we found a way.

“The pride in their performance is high on their agenda,”. Dallalana added.

The win saw the Sharks move to 20 points on the Flegg ladder, level with the Sydney Roosters but second on percentages.

Next up for the Flegg Sharks is a top of the table clash with the Roosters on Sunday.

Sharks 26
Josh Finau, Kristian Dixon, Cody Fuz, Benjamin Lavender, Cain Barnes tries, Max Riolo 2, Kristian Dixon goals.
beat
Knights 20