Flegg Sharks feel the Bulldogs bite
The Jersey Flegg Sharks have gone down to the Bulldogs in their qualifying clash, setting up a sudden death match up with the Eels next week.
The second placed Bulldogs built on a fast start, leading 24-0 before the Cronulla side had earned a play the ball in attacking territory, and despite a brief fightback from the Sharks would go on to win 42-22.
Despite the loss the Sharks live to fight another day, moving onto a game against an Eels side which knocked the Panthers out of the Flegg finals series with a win on Saturday.
The game started with the Bulldogs full of running and after taking advantage of a couple of Sharks errors, gifting them field position, before the game had settled into a rhythm they had four tries on the board.
The Sharks from that point of the first half showed some fight, a Kristian Dixon try wide out after a slick exchange of passes making if 26-6 following Dixon’s sideline conversion.
In the next set of six the Sharks would strike again, Blake Hosking backing up a Tully Wilton line break and at 24-12 with half time approaching the Cronulla team had the momentum on their side.
However, in a killer blow a seven tackle set allowed the Bulldogs to march down field once again and some ordinary defense from the Sharks saw their opponents cross for a fifth try of the half with the hooter sounding, with the teams going to the break with the score 30-12.
A penalty goal early in the second period pushed the score out to 32-12, before Siteni Taukamo would score the first of his two tries, the fullback slicing through on the Sharks left then beating his opposite number in a 45-metre dash to the line.
On this occasion Dixon was unable to convert, but the Sharks had renewed hope at 32-16.
That hope of a miraculous comeback became even more of a reality when Taukomo would score again, this time running through a hole on the opposite side of the field then beating the cover to score in the south-western corner of Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Dixon was perfect with the kick from wide out and at 32-22 it was game on with still over 15 minutes of the match remaining.
The Sharks had their chances, but the Bulldiogs would take advantage of a fortunate 40-20 kick when the ball came off the side of the boot of the number seven then bounced centimetres in from the sideline, with two finals tries, both converted by Joash Papalii who kicked eight goals from eight attempts on the day, sealing the win.
Injuries to backrower Heny O’Kane, who came off just before half time with a concussion, and centre Chris Vea'ila with a painful knee injury, didn’t help the Sharks cause, with both now needing to be assessed ahead of next week’s sudden death Finals clash.
SHARKS 22
Siteni Taukamo 2, Kristian Dixon, Blake Hosking tries, Dixon 3 goals
Lost to
Bulldogs 42
