In an encouraging final hit out before the start of the NRL season, the Sharks have scored an impressive 30-6 victory over the Bulldogs.
Played at PointsBet Stadium in front of a healthy crowd of 3.500 and thankfully with the rain staying away for the duration of the match, the Sharks built up a sizeable half time lead, one they would defend to the final whistle despite making multiple changes in the second period.
The only negative to come from the game was an ankle injury suffered early in the opening half by skipper Wade Graham, with scans in the coming days to determine the extent of the problem.
Otherwise, it was a performance which should send coach Craig Fitzgibbon and the Sharks team to Canberra for round one with a level of confidence, with newcomers Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane impressive in their first games in Cronulla colours.
Following a Bulldogs error, the first points came courtesy of a Braydon Trindall try, the Sharks half busting through some average defense to score from close range.
Hynes with his first kick at goal was on target and it was 6-0 after the opening 10 minutes of the match.
The Bulldogs response would come from one of their new boys, five eighth Matt Burton dummying his way through after his team had camped on the Sharks line for four consecutive sets if six. Burton converted his own try to lock up the scores at 6-apiece at the 18-minute mark in the first half.
After a 20-minute drinks break it would be the Sharks to go in front once again, Hynes laying on a try for Briton Nikora who ran a clever inside line to beat his opposite then step past Bulldogs fullback Matt Dufty.
Hynes kicked the simple conversion and the Sharks were up 12-6, 23 minutes into the match.
The Sharks would go further in front and it came on the back of some Tevita Pangai ill-discipline, the Bulldogs forward going to the sin-bin after a melee on half way, then it was Royce Hunt barging over under the uprights to extend his teams’ advantage. Ironically it was as a result of an incident involving Hunt which saw Pangai sent to the sideline for a 10 minute rest.
Again the Hynes kick was successful and the Sharks led 18-6 with still seven minutes remaining in the first period.
With half time approaching the Sharks were in again, Ronaldo Mulitalo batting back a Trindall kick, with Will Kennedy on the spot to grab the rebound, push through a Dufty tackle and plant the ball down.
Hynes made it four from four with the boot with the Sharks holding a commanding 24-6 lead and likely to be pleased with a half of football where Finucane played out a strong 35 minutes, with his middle forward partners Braden Hamlin-Uele and Andrew Fifita also getting through strong 30 minute stints.
With the majority of both starting teams still on the field, the Sharks would continue their dominance and again it came down their attacking left, on this occasion if was Mulitalo slicing through wide out then running around to plant the ball down under the uprights.
Hynes kicked a fifth conversion and at 30-6 it signaled the chance for Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon to make some changes and rest some of his stars ahead of their first round match.
After an excellent first hit out for Cronulla, Hynes came from the field with 25 minutes left, Will Kennedy, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Ramien and Nikora other to follow soon after.
The Sharks now have a little over a week before taking on the Raiders in round one in a match to be played in Canberra on Friday, March 11.
SHARKS 30
Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Braydon Trindall, Royce Hunt, Will Kennedy tries, Nicho Hynes 5 goals
beat
BULLDOGS 6
Matt Burton try, Burton goal
