Winning run continues for Flegg Sharks
The Jersey Flegg Sharks continued their winning start to the season with an impressive 26-6 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
Playing one of the other undefeated sides in the under-21’s competition, after going to the break with a handy lead, the Sharks went on with the job in the second period to make it five wins from as many games so far in 2023.
It took 15 minutes for either team to post points but it would be the Sharks who were first on the board, winger Cain Barnes finishing off a backline move to slide over in the south-eastern corner.
Kicking into a southerly breeze five eighth Max Riolo was unable to convert and the Cronulla side led 4-0.
Shortly after following a charged down Sharks kick had put them into an attacking field position, a last tackle grubber was grounded in the in-goal by prop Corey Ross and after the successful conversion, the Roosters had taken a 6-4 lead some 20 minutes into the first half.
The Roosters advantage however would be short lived, a cut-out pass from fullback Manaia Wiatere putting Barnes into space with the young winger beating the Roosters fullback to score wide out.
Again ,the difficult conversion was unsuccessful however for the remainder of the first half the Sharks would assert some control, a try to hooker Sam Healey from a Niwhai Puru offload, then a another to lock Blake Hosking after a bullocking 20-metre run, and with Roilo adding the extras it was 20-6 to the home side at the break.
On the resumption it was a committed Roosters outfit that would dominate possession for large periods, with the Sharks also reduced to 12-men due to a sin-binning for a professional foul, however while it was their attack which was on song in the first half, it was a committed defensive performance that kept the Roosters at bay in the second half.
The final points came four minutes from full time courtesy of a determined chase from Henry O’Kane following a Puru kick. Riolo added the extras in rounding out a dominant Sharks display.
Sharks forwards Hosking, Max Bradbury, Lachlan Crouch controlled the middle of the field with robust effort, Healey was busy out of dummy half and halves Puru and Riolo did a solid job directing the around the field.
The Flegg Sharks are next in action when they play the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday.
SHARKS 26
Cain Barnes 2, Henry O’Kane, Blake Hosking, Sam Healey tries, Max Riolo 3 goals
beat
ROOSTERS 6
