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FULLTIME
Sharks 40
Tigers 18
The Sharks bounced back after a disappointing loss last week to in the end record a comfortable win over an error riddled Tigers side.
>>MATCH REPORT: Sharks back in winner’s circle with win over Tigers
The Sharks kicked things off with a nice pass by Bird to Lewis who crossed over for the Sharks first.
The Sharks would moments later get their second off the back of a breakaway run by Brooks which saw Simona on the next tackle cross over for the Tigers first.
From there, the Sharks went on a roll which saw Feki and Ennis target the right hand side of the Tigers to extend the lead to fourteen and go into the sheds at halftime pleased with their performance.
After halftime, the Tigers continued their dismal ball handling which ultimately led to the Sharks converting on the scoreboard through Holmes.
Still, the Tigers were not done yet, they would score two more tries firstly through Taupau who steamrolled his way through the Sharks defence and secondly through Sironen after he collected his own kick to cut the lead back to a converted try.
However, the Sharks and in particular, Valentine Holmes, would run away both on the field and on the scoreboard to secure the win for the Sharks.
A try by Holmes who pounced on an error from the Tigers would show his pace and run away for his second while Gordons try in the 76th minute was off the back of a Valentine Holmes break.
The Sharks exploited the ruck of the Tigers with ease all afternoon which saw them working it to the left hand side of the Tigers early in the set and then shift the ball to the right hand side of the Tigers which they saw as an obvious weakness.
Ennis, Gordon and obviously Holmes were the standouts were the standout as Ennis sped out of dummy-half and Gordon’s support work in the middle troubled the Tigers forwards all game.
The win for the Sharks who had moments of lapses during the game nevertheless cements their spot in the top eight and keeps the fight going for the top four spot that all teams are striving for come semi-final time.
For the Tigers, it was a game they would rather forget with thirteen errors resulting in 42% possession and 58% completion rate with the only highlight being the trademark Pat Richards Kick-offs.
In an always entertaining match-up, the Cronulla Sharks will play host to the Wests Tigers in a Round 24 match that spells different opportunities for either side. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of all the action from 3:00pm (AEST).
The Sharks end-of-season run into the semi-finals was given a shake up last week going down to the Storm 2-30. They were simply outwrestled and outplayed for the entire contest which frustrated them to the point where they had no attack.
They will want to put in a different performance today no doubt. For the Tigers who now have nothing to play for but “pride”, they went down in disappointing circumstances to the Knights 18-24.
Both teams line-up a little bit differently this afternoon fromm last week with Sam Tagataese returning from suspension at prop for the Sharks. Matt Prior drops out of the starting side to occupy injured utility Ben Barba’s bench spot.
For the Tigers, Martin Taupau returns to the side at lock, with Sauaso Sue shifting to prop and Keith Galloway to the bench. Chris Lawrence is also back on a six-man interchange with Jack Buchanan and Manaia Cherrington.
Both Jeff Robson and Jack Bird were relatively quiet last week and will want to put in a better performance today especially heading into the finals.
The Tigers last week looked very slow and very tired. If any team can trouble the structured defence of the Sharks, it’s the unpredictable attack of the Tigers. The spine for the Tigers should really fire with young Brooks and Tedesco having both the skill and pace to trouble the Sharks through the middle.
Nevertheless, it will be up to the forwards such as Woods, Taupau and Sue to really match it with the Sharks forwards and lay the platform for their backs if they are to win here this afternoon.
Prediction
By the looks of both team line-ups, they both have some very good forward packs and my hope is that the inclusion of Martin Taupau puts a little both more mongrel into the Tigers side.
However, as the Sharks have something to play for other than pride, the Sharks experience in the middle of the park and in the halves coupled with the fact that they will want to bounce back from such a disappointing performance last week should get them across the line – but only just.
Sharks by 6
So Roarers, will the Sharks bounce back from last week’s defeat to keep pressure on the teams above for the top four? Or will the Tigers spoil the party and earn another consolation win to avoid the wooden spoon?
Join The Roar Saturday afternoon from 3:00pm (AEST) for live scores, updates and debate in our live blog.
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