The struggles of the NRLW Sharks continued with a fourth straight defeat, this time at the hands of the Eels in their round eight clash at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Looking to get back on track the Sharks were out-enthused on the night in suffering a 42-16 loss to a Parramatta side which had yet to register a win in 2026.
Also with their finals hopes out of reach, the Eels were ruthless in attack, while capitalising on every error, penalty, and field position they were given by the Sharks.
For Cronulla, in a positive to come out of the never ending injury troubles that the side has faced this year, Talei Holmes and Rhiannon Byers both returned to the side successfully, with Byers crossing for a seecod half try.
The Eels opened the scoring, crossing in the first five minute, when centre Rory Owen proved that if you give her an inch, she’ll take a mile, stepping through the defence and striding 55 meters to slide over under the posts.
Levelling the scores, it was Jacinta Carter who snatched the first points for the home side, a simple crash play seeing her slam the ball down under the uprights, with Chantay Kiria-Ratu slotting the goal.
Though, what has hurt the hosts all season proved costly once again tonight as they knocked the ball on from the kick-off after points, gifting the ball back to the visitors who would score two more tries inside four minutes.Martha Mataele slipped her way out of a defenders grasp to plant the ball down, and on the opposite side of the field, Owen was able to reach over and get herself a double.
Minutes later, a penalty in front of the uprights saw Rachel Pearson add another two points and it was all blue and gold with the Sharks under relentless pressure were soon awarded with a fourth try for the evening, Ryvrr-Lee Alo,winning the race against Holmes to ground the ball from a grubber kick
Heading into the second 35, the Eels didn’t take their foot off the pedal, two line breaks straight out of the gates, then a penalty, Person put her team up by two more with a successful penalty kick at goal and Parramatta led 26-6.
Despite facing a substantial deficit, Cronulla didn’t give up hope, Milla Elaro crossing in the corner, for her fourth try in three games. Kiria-Ratu could not convert.
Going Back-to-back for the first time, a short ball from Madison Ashby put Byers through a hole on the left edge and when. Kiria-Ratu added the extras, the Sharks were within 10 points, and a comeback win was now within reach.
However, ultimately hungrier for a victory, winger Zali Fay became a double try scorer for the Eels, the first backing up a line break then running 20 meters to touch down in the corner, the second from a simple catch and put down.
With one kick on target from two attempts by Pearson, the score had blown out to 36-16.
Parramatta weren’t done, getting one last four-pointer to top off a season best performance, Jasmin Morrissey finishing off a line break with the final score 42-16.
The Sharks have a six-day turnaround before taking on the first placed Roosters at Allianz Stadium next Saturday at 3:15pm.
