Flegg Sharks squander lead in Storm loss

The Jersey Flegg Sharks squandered a handy second half lead in going down by 28-18 to the Melbourne Storm in their round 15 match in Melbourne on Sunday.

Going into the match in second place on the Flegg ladder, the Sharks opened up a 18-8 lead during the second half however poor ball control and ill-discipline saw their opponents fight back and record what could be considered an upset win.

After the Melbourne team had opened the scoring, a determined solo effort from skipper Blake Hoskins, the Sharks lock beating a number of would-be defenders and following the Jake Hay conversion, the visiting Cronulla side were up 6-4.

Shortly after, the Sharks would add to their lead, centre Ben Lavender finding some space inside his own half before racing away to score and a comfortable afternoon look likely with at 10-4.

While the Storm managed to peg back the lead with a try of their own to make it 10-4 Sharks, a try to winger Kristian Dixon pushed the Cronulla team’s lead out to 14-8 at the half time break.

A try to big front rower Max Bradbury made it 18-8, but from that point the Sharks lost their way, the Storm gained the ascendency and would go on with the job, 20 unanswered points seeing them run away with the contest.

While no excuse for the below par performance, the Sharks depth was certainly tested without three of their regular halves on deck, with Niwhai Puru playing for the Jets and Cody Fuz and Max Riolo unavailable due to injury, fullback Manaia Waitere was serving the first week of a two-match suspension and starting hooker Sam Healey another to be playing for the Newtown team in the NSW Cup.

The Jersey Flegg Sharks, who dropped from second to fourth as a result of the loss, now have a week off due to the bye,

Sharks 18
Blake Hoskings, Ben Lavender, Kristian Dixon, Max Bradbury tries, Jake Hay goal
lost to
Storm 28