Matthews Sharks tame the Tigers
Capped off by two clever second half tries, the Matthews Cup Sharks have beaten the Balmain Tigers 20-10 in a spirited contest at PointsBet Stadium.
With plenty to prove following a last start loss, the Sharks started fast against a big a physical Tigers outfit, with two tries coming from clever cross field kicks from half back Dylan Christiansen eventually proving to be the difference.
The first was spectacularly plucked out of the air by a flying Siteni Taukomo, the second to winger Chevy Stewart, with those two four pointers pushing the lead out to 20-6 and from there the Tigers couldn’t recover.
The Sharks opening try came from hard-working front rower Sam McCulloch, the second by centre Koby Douglas and the home team had an early 10-0 lead.
A nasty incident saw prop Lachlan Crossle assisted from the field, the tackle put on report and likely to earn the attention of the match review, and shortly after the Tigers would post their first points with a try out wide and a sideline conversion, the teams going to the break with the Sharks up 10-6.
A long run from centre Osca Catton put the Sharks on the attack midway through the second period and it was the Christensen-Siteni combination that would stretch the lead, the half back converting the try to push the score out to 16-6.
Again the Sharks stretched the Tigers line and on a good thing Christensen again kicked wide, Stewart making the catch and put down in almost confirming the result for the Cronulla side.
The Tigers would score a consolation try late courtesy of a 90-metre run following a Sharks dropped ball, but it was too little too late as the Sharks notched their second win from three games this season.
With the two points from the bye added to their two victories, the Sharks sit inside the top eight with six competition points after four rounds, with a game against the Sydney Roosters in Wyong to come next week.
SHARKS 20
Siteni Taukomo, Chevy Stewart, Sam McCulloch, Koby Douglas tries, Dylan Christensen 2 goals
beat
TIGERS 10
