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Cronulla go from strength to strength in the NSW Cup

Roar Guru
9th June, 2013
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The Cronulla Sharks have extended their NSW Cup unbeaten run to thirteen with a hard fought 10-0 win over Mounties at Sharks Stadium on Saturday.

The game featured some of the most rugged defence witnessed in the New South Wales Cup this season. Two seasoned forward packs rich in NRL experience went toe to toe for eighty minutes in an entertaining match for defensive aficionados.

The Sharks started in slick form and were on the board after just eight minutes. A sharp back line movement saw Daniel Moroko cross the line after being the beneficiary of a deft Matthew Wright pass.

The ease of this first try may have understated how valuable it was to eventually be; in reality it would be the only points for the first sixty seven minutes of the match.

Both sides were reduced by casualties early in the match with solid defence producing a war of attrition. Chad Towsend left the field in the tenth minute with what appeared to be a hand injury and did not return for the Sharks.

Michael Bani was assisted from the ground soon after for Mounties and only returned late in the match.

The first half was a classic arm wrestle and, if anything, the Sharks held a slight ascendency. The Sharks managed to create many opportunities and repeat sets, chiefly orchestrated by play maker Brett Finch.

Mounties were not totally void of opportunity themselves and almost managed to equalise in the thirtieth minute when Jarrad Kennedy burrowed over the line, only to be held up. The four nil half time score line was indicative of the dour battle taking place on the field.

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The second half picked up where the first half left off with strong defence and hard hitting the order of the day. If anything, Mounties looked to be making more inroads than they had in the first stanza of the game.

In the fifty seventh minute, a flurry of ill discipline from Mounties may have been the watershed moment in the match.

As the Sharks attacked twenty metres out from Mounties line an innocuous offside penalty was awarded.

This was followed by another for back chat and another penalty from the ensuing play. Referee Michael Laverty decided he had seen enough and took action sin-binning Mounties prop Sam Mataora.

Mounties still managed to withstand the Sharks onslaught for all but a minute of that period.

Eventually, the weight of possession against a reduced defensive line was too much and Siosaia Vave was able to crash over for a try with just thirteen minutes remaining in the match. Nathan Stapleton added the extras and the Sharks led 10-0.

Despite their desperate efforts, Mounties were unable to come back and that was how the match ended. The game may have been a little starved of continuity due to the heavy policing from the officialdom, with the total match penalty count almost eclipsing thirty discrepancies.

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Irrespective of the loss, Mounties would find plenty of positives after remaining very competitive with the undefeated Sharks.

For the Sharks, Matthew Wright was outstanding along with Brett Finch who was pivotal in ordering his troops around the park.

Pat Politoni showed his versatility with a solid display despite being shifted away from his preferred role of hooker after Townsends departure. The Sharks big forward pack laid a strong platform for their backs led by Slade Griffin and Dayne Weston.

For Mounties Shannon Boyd was strong up front and well supported by Matt McIlwrick. Pivot Ryan Carr was heavily involved and constantly looking to create things for his team.

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