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The Cronulla Sharks have come from behind in the second half in what was one of the most attacking games of the season, defeating the Wests Tigers by eight points at Campbelltown.
REPORT: SHARKS EDGE OUT TIGERS
The Tigers might have held a four point lead at half time, but struggled to get their hands on the ball in the second half only completing nine of 14 sets as the Sharks continued to build pressure right throughout the half, eventually running away with the match.
The battle of the fullbacks was one of the key ones coming in, and it ended up having a massive influence on the scoreboard, and contest as minimal defence was played from both sides, and attacking plays were executed to perfection all game long.
The momentum of the clash ebbed and flowed, back and forth as the two teams battled before the Sharks took over at the pivotal time during the second half.
The funny thing was, the Sharks flew out of the gates and it was looking as if it was going to be a very, very long night for the Tigers. With a strong first set from Cronulla, James Tedesco was injured in an ugly looking collision.
With Tedesco off the field, the Sharks would capitalise to score off a Tigers error with Luke Lewis scoring through some very soft defence.
The Sharks execution would get a little muted throughout the rest of the first half, with Tedesco returning to the action and the Tigers scoring three tries over the course of 14 minutes.
Tedesco, along with Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks had a hand in all of the tries throughout the first half, deploying what has become a key feature of the Tigers game with their sweeping plays.
David Nofoaluma would be the first off a sweeping play to the right before an incredible catch and pass from Tedesco. James Tedesco would dive over after breaking a tackle a few minutes later before an inside ball saw Chris Lawrence crash over.
The Sharks would manage to fire back before half time as they got themselves back into the contest.
A try that may well have flipped the momentum on the stroke of half time saw the Sharks spread it right from inside their own half, going to Valentine Holmes who chipped back infield and James Maloney was able to score.
The second half could be described as many things, but let’s go with passionate. Both teams displayed plenty of passion as penalties were flown, offence went to a new level and there were almost a few blues.
The Sharks would open the scoring to hit the lead through Sosaia Feki, before the Tigers against the run of play managed a try to James Tedesco.
Just four minutes later Paul Gallen would crash over in what could only be described as a barge over with soft defence. With Gallen involved in many of the fire ups in the game, it was fitting that he came up with a try.
The Tigers struggled to execute their plays, and the Sharks made them suffer spending a majority of time with the ball.
Amid a flurry of penalty goals, Ben Barba would score the match winner in the 70th minute off an brilliant play where the Sharks spread the ball left and then Feki came back inside for Ben Barba, who was fantastic for most of the night to score.
The Tigers came up with a consolation, intercept length of the field try in the last minute but it would matter little.
So in the end at Campbelltown, the Sharks too good for the Tigers in what was a very exciting and entertaining game.
Final Score
Wests Tigers 26
Cronulla Sharks 34
If there is one match this season that has a storyline, this could be it. Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah make their returns from injury as the Wests Tigers host the Cronulla Sharks at Campbelltown. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEDT).
Paul Gallen has struggled to avoid the media spotlight during his time on the sideline after picking up an injury. His latest stoush was with Rebecca Wilson, who called him ‘the biggest attention seeker I have ever met’.
Gallen has also announced he will retire from representative football at the end of the season.
This is where Robbie Farah comes in. The New South Wales Blues vice-captain has looked to be on the outer at the Tigers for quite a while, but said he would stick fast on his promise to the see out the contract. He was hanging around like a bad smell for a lot of the off-season, but eventually the Tigers came to their senses.
Unfortunately for them, Farah went and got himself injured and hasn’t been able to play.
Farah’s return for Wests along with that of Chris Lawrence sees Dene Halatau move into the second row from hooker, with Jack Buchanan the unlucky one dropping back to the bench. Lawrence of course has also played a lot of centre and with the current structure of the side, it will be interesting to see exactly how coach Jason Taylor uses him.
Gallen’s return on the other hand straight to starting lock won’t bring with it many changes. In fact, Gerard Beale drops off the bench and that is it.
The Tigers, who were expected to be one of the bottom sides this year, have started the season on a different foot. They beat the New Zealand Warriors in Round 1, before performing a demolition job of the Manly Sea Eagles the next weekend.
The Tigers are coming off an eight-nil loss to the Parramatta Eels though and need to restore some confidence. A drubbing like that will certainly take it out of you.
The Sharks on the other hand started the season with a loss but haven’t looked back with victories over the St George Illawarra Dragons, Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm.
Their win against Melbourne was less than impressive, with scrappy football being played but they still walked away with the two competition points.
Both teams rely heavily on their kicking games, both short and long and that could go a long way to deciding this one.
Prediction
The Sharks have been playing quality football. A strong kicking game from Chad Townsend and James Maloney will see them over the line.
I also expect the presence of Farah to slow things down a little bit for the Tigers in attack.
Sharks by 8.
Follow Scott on twitter @sk_pryde