The Sharks have overcome an uninspiring first half effort to down the Tigers 24-16 in front of over 13,00 fans at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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Final score
Cronulla Sharks 24
Wests Tigers 16
The Cronulla Sharks are looking to keep in touch with the top four as a desperate Wests Tigers aim to re-enter the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2pm (AEST).
Cronulla’s six-game winning streak was snapped last weekend, when they fell to a determined Rabbitohs outfit.
A late surge saw Shane Flanagan’s men reduce the deficit to eight, yet otherwise they were thoroughly outplayed and will want to immediately bounce back.
Unlike previous years, the Sharks have few concerns during the Origin period, with Valentine Holmes being the only player forced to back up.
Meanwhile, the Tigers had no players representing their state in Wednesday night’s game and will field a settled line-up. The only potential change would see Josh Reynolds brought into the starting side, with his energy important in sparking the side’s attack.
Ivan Cleary’s men came agonisingly close to pipping the Roosters last week, going down 16-14 in a tight contest. The second-best defensive side held their own on their line but need to focus on their struggling attack.
In team news, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak replaces David Nofoaluma on the wing.
Prediction
There should not be many tries, as both sides are well-drilled in defence, however the Sharks should have a few more points in them.
Cronulla by 8.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2pm (AEST).
TigerMike
Guest
Yeah great call today thanks man. The Tigers half time break saw them switch off damn shame, Great first 40 but that's not enough, Clearly!!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
They finish in seventh.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks have overcome an uninspiring first half effort to down the Tigers 24-16 in front of over 13,00 fans at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers surged to a 10-2 lead at the break, with the wet weather troubling the home side who looked rudderless in attack. However, a Paul Gallen inspired Cronulla side responded to score 22 points in the second half as they affirmed their position in the Top Eight. Both sides opened the scoring in conservative fashion, with the first six points of the game coming through penalty goals. The Sharks looked to have scored an early try in the 5th minute after back rower Luke Lewis pounced on a Chad Townsend grubber. However, the veteran to fumbled the ball in the attempt to ground it and the try was disallowed. The afternoon did not get much better for Lewis with the experienced campaigner later ruled out for the rest of the contest through concussion. The Tigers finally opened the try-scoring in the 20th minute when Elijah Taylor dummied and crashed over, embarrassing the Cronulla defence. A 32nd minute sin-binning of Tigers edge forward Michael Chee-Kam threatened to derail what was an otherwise strong showing from the away team in the opening forty minutes. However, Ivan Cleary’s men showed great determination to hold on to an eight-point lead at half time. The second half saw a rejuvenated Sharks outfit pile on the points. Cronulla’s big men had been dominated in the opening forty minutes so it was only fitting that inspirational skipper Paul Gallen was the one to spark the home side’s comeback. Only expected to provide a customary hit-up, the former Australian representative went one further and took four defenders with him on the way to the try line. Not long after the Sharks had their second, with Gallen again involved. This time the lock was the creator, passing inside to Valentine Holmes who raced 80 metres to score under the posts after evading several Tigers defenders along the way. A beautiful long ball from five-eighth Matt Moylan saw Edrick Lee fly over in the 58th minute and suddenly it was a comprehensive 18-10 lead for the Sharks. However, the Tigers soon hit back when a short ball from Luke Brooks saw Chris Lawrence step back infield and burst through the line before linking with Tui Lolohea who crossed over. Desperate for victory, Cleary’s men continued to pepper the Cronulla line yet failed to convert their field position into points. Soon-to-be Newcastle recruit Jesse Ramien then sealed the victory when he showed great power and strength to stream through the Tigers defence in the 76th minute. As a result the Sharks kept their Top Four hopes alive while the Tigers still remain two points adrift of a spot in the Top Eight.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Cronulla actually temporarily move into fifth but if Melbourne win today it will see them drop back to sixth.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
No worries Renegade! Congrats on the win!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call mate!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - SHARKS 24 TIGERS 16 A dominant second-half display has seen the Sharks finish eight-point victors here in the Shire! Cronulla move into sixth position while the Tigers remain outside the Top Eight. Match report to come. Thanks for joining me! That isn't the end of the footy for today though, with Scott Pryde to finish Sunday's proceedings with the coverage of the blockbuster between the Storm and Broncos!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - A nice expansive start from the Tigers and they earn a penalty and have a full set 20 out. They obviously need to score now! 1 minute 20 seconds remaining. The Tigers try desperately to score but Mahe Fonua's pass out of dummy-half isn't a good one and it is pounced on by Wade Graham and that is the game! SHARKS - 24 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
78' - The Sharks take the early kick-off and that should be the game! Wade Graham finds touch ten out from the Tigers line. SHARKS - 24 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
That is a 22-6 lead in the second half for the boys from the Shire!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL SHARKS Chad Townsend SHARKS - 24 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - SHARKS TRY Jesse Ramien Valentine Holmes turns it back inside to Jesse Ramien who beats two Tigers defenders in the middle before surging 30 metres towards and over the line to seal the win! SHARKS - 22 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
74' - Now the Tigers get a perfect opportunity to snatch the lead after a relieving penalty but they begin their set on their own 30. They surge into the Cronulla half and are 30 out on the last. Luke Brooks bombs on the last but it is very shallow. Kevin Naiqama bats it back to Mahe Fonua but he is swarmed upon and the Sharks hold on! SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
71' - A settled response from Cronulla with Chad Townsend finding touch ten out from the Tigers' line. SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
70' - The Tigers have an immediate chance to regain the lead after an error from Cronulla off the last-tackle kick. But Josh Aloaia comes up with the mistake and the Sharks survive! The Tigers have to work it out from deep within their own end after a strong set from Cronulla. However, the kick on the last is incredible and is almost a 40/20 only for Valentine Holmes to just save it! SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
67' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Esan Marsters SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
66' - TIGERS TRY Tui Lolohea Luke Brooks goes short to Chris Lawrence who steps inside and bursts through the line and the back rower finds his fullback in support. SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 14
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
If you go to nrl.com there is great vision of Moylan's face too!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Probably got 200+ metres from both his runaway tries but nevertheless he has been on fire.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
63' - Matt Prior takes it up off the kick-off. The Sharks are making big metres through the middle and are 40 out on the last. Kevin Naiqama takes the bomb on the final play and the Tigers finally have the ball back. Esan Marsters makes a strong run and Wests are just 40 out. Luke Brooks puts in a smart kick on the fourth and traps Sione Katoa a couple of metres out from his line. A strong defensive set from the Tigers early but a couple of quick play-the-balls sees the Sharks surge over halfway with James Segeyaro kicking long on the last. Kevin Naiqama is there again to snatch it and the Tigers are already in the Cronulla half on the third but the offload from Josh Reynolds is dropped by Alex Twal. SHARKS - 18 TIGERS - 10