In turning around their disappointing loss in game one, the Sharks smashed the Bulldogs in game two of the NRL Nines however they have fallen short of a finals berth at the NRL Nines.
With the injection of some new blood into the team, the Sharks ran up a big half time lead before going to win 25-4 against the Dogs, however when the Dragons failed to hold on the dying moments of their match with the Eels, the Cronulla side was eliminated on for-and-against.
The Bulldogs were first to score, a chip and chase try making it 4-0, but from there it was all the Sharks in the opening half.
Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo combined for an 80-metre try to level the scores, before Connor Tracey handled twice in a movement which would see him crash over in the bonus point zone under the uprights.
Shaun Johnson added the extras and the Sharks were on a roll at 11-4 in front.
Claiming the ball back from the ensuing kick off, the Sharks again moved into an attacking zone, and this time if was some enterprising lead up play from one of the new boys which saw the Sharks score again, Braydon Trindall in his first game at NRL level throwing a long cut out pass for Josh Morris to score.
Almost the same play, time with Tracey hitting Morris with a nice ball putting the experienced campaigner over for his second, and it was a 21-4 lead at the break.
Seeing their own finals aspirations disappearing the Bulldogs came out of half time with a bit more energy and couple with a few unforced errors from the Sharks, neither team could add to their totals.
The only points of the half would come late and again it would be Morris but this time it was a try of his own creating when seeing space on the right Morris kicked past his opposite before winning the race to the ball and touching down wide out.
It was obviously a much-improved performance from the Sharks, with Trindall, Teig Wilton and Toby Rudolf more than holding their own in their first games at an NRL level.
If looking for a positive despite falling somewhat short of expectations, the Sharks came away from the two games with no injury concerns. They now head to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea for a trial match against the Bulldogs.
SHARKS 25
Josh Morris 3, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Connor Tracey tries, Shaun Johnson 2 goals. beat
BULLDOGS 4
