Martin Gabor, NRL.com National Correspondent
The St George Illawarra Dragons' Women's Nines team have lost for the second year in row following the Cronulla Sharks comfortable 20-4 win at at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Sunday evening.
It didn't have the same drama as last year's contest when Sam Bremner crossed on full-time to give her side a thrilling win, but the match was another fine example of the talent on display leading into the World Cup at the end of the year.
It didn't take long for the Sharks to get on the board with winger Jordan Baker finishing off some lovely work from Nita Maynard to dive over in the left corner virtually untouched.
Maynard was at it again shortly after with the pocket-rocket No.9 slicing through the middle before popping a perfect pass over the top for Kate Mullaly who raced 40 metres to make it 8-0.
The second half didn't start well for the Dragons with the Red V sending the kick-off sailing out on the full and they were made to pay when Shontelle Stowers got on the outside of the defence and showed enough speed to score next to the posts.
The Dragons worked hard to get back into the contest and were rewarded with a late try when Bree Morton punished the Sharks for letting a bomb bounce, but the hosts had the last laugh as Stowers streaked clear to seal the big win.
Cronulla Sharks 20 (Shontelle Stowers 2, Jordan Baker, Kate Mullaly, tries; Maddie Studdon 1, Nita Maynard 1 goal) defeated Dragons 4 (Bree Morton try) at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Half-time: 8-0.
