Flegg Sharks score crucial win over Souths
Following four consecutive losses the Jersey Flegg Sharks have stopped the slide in scoring a crucial 20-10 win over Souths to remain firmly in the hunt for a Finals berth.
Currently fourth but in danger of losing touch with the leading teams, the young Sharks responded with their best performance in over a month, building a 20-0 lead before two late consolation tries by their opponents narrowed the final margin of victory.
After a tough month of football, coach Andrew Dallalana was understandably pleased to get the result and more than satisfied with the overall performance from his side.
“I thought we came with a good attitude today,” Dallalana said. “We prepared well, then we started really well. We had an emphasis this week to start the game at a high speed, then to see if we could continue that for the entire 70 minutes. And for the majority of it, it was pretty good.”
In keeping their opponents scoreless for all but the lasy four or five minutes of the contest, it was a win based on defensive effort.
“We only had four good ball sets but I thought we defended really well. Until the last five minutes I thought the standard of our defense was really high,” the coach added.
“We’ve been building and it’s a good reward for the boys. If we continue to put in effort like that we’ll build to where we want to go.”
In a match played at Redfern Oval on Saturday, the Sharks crossed twice early, through prop Salesi Ataata then fullback Manaia Waitere, adjudged player’s players after the match, before backrower Toby Bothroyd would add to the lead as the Sharks went to the break up by 14-0.
Half Max Riolo would touchdown in the early moments of the second period, before converting his own try, pushing the lead out to 20 but with plenty of time remaining.
Souths would score two tries late, but the Sharks had done enough to record their 10th win of the 2023 season in consolidating their place inside the top four on the Flegg ladder.
Next up for the Sharks is a game against the Sea Eagles in the first of three matches to be played at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.
SHARKS 20
Salesi Ataata, Manaia Waitere, Toby Boothroyd, Max Riolo tries, Riolo 2 goals
beat
SOUTHS 10
