The Matthews Cup Sharks continued on their winning way while the SG Ball under side hit a slight hurdle in finishing in a 20-all draw in matches played at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday against the Balmain Tigers.
The Matthews Sharks were in control for most of the contest, racing to a handy halftime lead before going on with the job in the second period.
The young Sharks scored eight tries in all, with captain and five eighth Kai Broadhurst on target with the boot, kicking eight goals from as many attempts.
The win kept the Sharks undefeated in the Matthews Cup with six wins and one draw from their seven matches. They sit in second position on the competition ladder, trailing just the Parramatta Eels with two rounds remaining.
Interestingly, the Sharks claimed the under-16 Matthews Cup title last year by beating the Eels in the Grand Final, with another match up perhaps on the horizon in the not-too-distant future.
In the SG Ball the Sharks didn’t have it their own way, with their task made somewhat more difficult by the absence of halves paring Kyle Flanagan and Luke Metcalf.
The Sharks did however show plenty of spirit, coming back in the second half after trailing at the break in grabbing a point for their efforts, one which may prove crucial by the end of the regular season.
The draw saw the Ball Sharks slip to fourth position after having been second heading into round seven, however they can secure a coveted top four finish with wins over the final two weekends of the season.
The Sharks play the Western Sydney Academy of Sport in round eight, before finishing their season with a difficult road trip to Canberra where they face the Raiders.
SHARKS 48
Franklin Pele 2, Cameron O'Connor, George Sukanaivalu, Angus Ernst, Adnrew Thomson, Saint Sakai, Will Swann tries; Kai Broadhurst 8 goals
def
Balmain 16
J Rizk 2, R Alofipo tries; B Stefanovic 2 goals
Matthews Cup ladder after 7 rounds – CLICK HERE
SHARKS 20
Donovan Briggs 2, Lachlan Smith, Chris Tupou tries; Brandon Finnegan 2 goals
BALMAIN 20
R Amone 2, Z Alison, A Seyrarth tries; M Suli, A Doueiti goals) drew with
SG Ball ladder after 7 rounds – CLICK HERE
Photo courtesy Steve Montgomery – ourfootyteam.com
