Sharks girls slip to round three losses

One team was playing their first game on home soil in 2023, while the other was in action at Henson Park, however while the venues were different the results were unfortunately the same, with the two Sharks women’s teams suffering losses in their round three matches.  

The Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Sharks battled hard throughout but couldn’t quite get over the hump in going down by 14-12 to the Central Coast Roosters, while in the Tarsha Gale match up it was a red-hot Roosters Indigenous Academy team which proved too good in beating a brave Sharks outfit by 34-4.

Following the two Sharks men’s junior rep teams at Henson Park, the Tarsha Sharks were aware of the difficult challenge they faced, and that’s the way it played out, played in sweltering conditions the Indigenous Academy were on the board early, before building on their advantage to lead 14-4 at the half time break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, however despite the loss, coach Neil Stanley was satisfied with the commitment shown by his team.

“There was a lot of effort, out there, I’m really proud in parts, but it's about how we bring that together, connect it,” Stanley said. “In patches our work rate is really good but it's about how we put that into a solid team effort.

“We knew Roosters weren’t going to be an easy one and that we’d have to play for 60 minutes. We lapsed there in a couple of moments but I dare say we’ll be better for it and roll out stronger next week.

“For 60 per cent of the squad it’s the first time, its new for them at playing this competition level, to understand what it takes. The scoreline is a bit of blow out, but there were definitely some positives to look at,” Stanley added.

The Sharks try scorer was Zoe Topham, her four-pointer coming in the 13th minute of the first half, with the Tarsha Sharks on three competition points following a draw with the Bears last weekend and a round one bye.

Across town at the Sharks Academy Field at Cronulla High School, the HNWP Sharks were engaged in an intense battle with the Central Coast Roosters in the hot and steamy conditions.

A first half try to centre Andie Robinson and conversion by Maddie Studdon saw the Sharks lead 6-4 at the break, however a try to their opponents soon after the resumption of play, then another inside the final 10 minutes, gave the Roosters the buffer they needed as they hung for the win.

The Sharks scored late through backrower Tayla Curtis but time ran out on the Cronulla team who slipped to a second consecutive loss following a round one win.

The HNWP will try to turn around their fortunes when they play the Bulldogs in round four at PointsBet Stadium, while the Tarsha Sharks tackle the Dragons, with both games to played next Sunday.

TARSHA GALE
SHARKS 4
Zoe Topham try
Lost to
ROOSTERS INDIGENOUS ACADEMY 34

HNWP
SHARKS 12
Tayla Curtis, Andie Robinson tries, Maddie Studdon 2 goals
Lost to
CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS 14