Big second half for Ball Sharks in Tigers win
The SG Ball Sharks have backed up their big win from a week ago with a resounding 34-8 victory over the Balmain Tigers in their round four match at PointsBet Stadium.
Up by just two points at break, the Sharks clicked into gear, two quick tries putting them in the ascendancy, before going on with the job in the remainder of the second period, the win their second of the season after a 50-point thumping of the Bears in round three.
The Sharks started fast and only three minutes into the contest posted first points, prop Semisi Sikei crashing over after a penalty and quick tap and following the Ryan Rivett conversion it was 6-0 to the home team.
Following back to back penalties the Tigers would reply, a clever exchange of passing putting the winger into space and it was 6-4 Sharks when the kick at goal sailed wide.
In a mistake riddled first period the score remained the same at the break, with neither side able to add to their totals, but it was early in the second period were the Sharks would assert some authority.
A cleverly worked short side play, starting with hooker Kobie Wilson finished in a try to Jordan Samrani, then it was his centre partner Noah Lester who pushed the margin out to 10 with a determined try on the Sharks left.
Rivett converted one of the two Sharks four-pointers and it was 16-4 Sharks just five minutes into the second half.
The score would push out further, an individual effort from Rivett seeing the Sharks half sprint 50-metres to score and this time it was Samrani with the extra two and the Cronulla side were ahead 22-4.
More was to come, with the next points scored by Josh Finau, the prop rampaging through the middle of the ruck in a 40-metre run to the try line and with Samrani taking over the kicking duties, the Sharks had broken the Tigers resolve at 28-4 with still more than 15 minutes of the match remaining.
Switching to the back row Samrani crashed through for his second of the afternoon, with the successful conversion putting the result beyond doubt at 34-4 Sharks.
The final period of the game became a bit scrappy, the Tigers crossing for a consolation try, with the final 34-8 scoreline indicative of the Sharks second half dominance.
With two wins from three games they now travel to Wyong for a clash with the Sydney Roosters next Saturday.
SHARKS 34
Jordan Samrani 2, Ryan Rivett, Josh Finau, Noah Lester, Semisi Sikei tries, Rivett 3, Samrani 2 goals
Beat
BALMAIN TIGERS 8
SHARKS
Jordan Samrani 2. Semisi Sikei, Noah Lester, Ryan Rivett, Hosh FInau tries, Rivett 2, Samrani goals
