In a match where they were their own worst enemies, with poor ball control and discipline at crucial times proving costly, the Jersey Flegg Sharks have been beaten 28-12 by the Bulldogs in their round seven clash.
After the teams went to half time with only two-points separating them, the Bulldogs blew the game open in the first 10 minutes of the second half and the Sharks were unable to respond.
It was a disappointing result for the young Sharks side who more than matched their opponents for most of the first period but were totally outgunned in the second.
After a penalty piggy-backed them into an attacking position the Bulldogs managed to post first points, lock Kurtis Morrin crashing through a couple of tackles to touch down adjacent to the posts.
The conversion was successful and the Bulldogs led 6-0 some 12 minutes into the contest.
While all the possession was running the way of their opponents, a Bulldogs error saw the momentum shift somewhat, the Sharks went on the attack and in his first game in the under-21's competition fullback Kade Dykes showed good speed and evasion to split the right side defence and score wide out.
The conversion attempt was wide of the mark but at 6-4 with just under 10-minutes of the first half remaining the Sharks had their tails up.
A 40-20 kicked by hooker Isaac Longmuir from the next set would put the Sharks on the front foot once again and it was Sam Stonestreet, another under-19's graduate in his second game in the Flegg team, touching down spectacularly in the south-western corner of Netstrata Stadium.
The difficult conversion was wide however the Sharks had their first lead at 8-6 with half time approaching, before the Bulldogs would score their second try of the afternoon, winger James Valevatu pouncing on a loose ball the in-goal.
The kick was wide, with the score 10-8 to the Bulldogs at the half time break.
The Bulldogs came out for the second period full of intent and unfortunately the Cronulla side was unable to match them.
Running with vigour and purpose the young Dogs would cross three times in the first 10 minutes of the half, push their lead out to 28-8 and the result and two competition points were heading Canterbury's way.
In a second half where very little went right for the Sharks, both Stonestreet and Jensen Taumeopeau were denied when tries looked likely, while in a lone bright spot Dykes again displayed his speed and strength with a second four pointer in the dying moments.
For the Sharks Dykes proved he is up to playing at the Flegg level, while as he is in most games he plays, second-rower Jack Boyling again worked himself to a standstill for the Cronulla team.
The loss was the second of the season for the Flegg Sharks, who move on to play the Rabbitohs in round eight.
SHARKS 12
Kade Dykes 2, Sam Stonestreet tries,
Lost to
BULLDOGS 28
