HNWP Sharks stumble in second half against Magpies

However, Wentworthville – who defeated St George 36-0 in Round 1 – piled on five successive tries in the second term to take the game away from Cronulla.

Cronulla second-rower Jaydika Tafua opened the scoring in the ninth minute after the Sharks swooped on a fumbled bomb, charging under the posts to give five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua an easy shot at goal for a 6-0 advantage.

After sustained pressure, the Magpies responded in the 17th minute when they whizzed the ball left from a scrum and winger Danielle Seckold crossed out wide.

Yaranamua did her best to swing momentum back in Cronulla's favour, setting the crowd alight with a brilliant break before hoisting a kick that forced a Wentworthville error, but the Sharks couldn't capitalise on the field position.

The Magpies had an opportunity to seize the lead late in the half, but Seckold was unable to reel in a bullet-like cut-out pass to secure her double.

Wentworthville burst out of the blocks when play resumed, finding joy down their left channel with centre Carly Abbott touching down. The visitors quickly extended the margin by winning the race to a well-placed grubber kick from dummy-half.

Elusive Magpies fullback Caitlin Turnbull scored the next two tries, with the accurate goal-kicking of Cassie Siataga leaving the Sharks trailing 28-6.

Halfback Siataga grabbed a try to increase her individual points tally to 12 before Yaranamua powered over to give the Cronulla fans reason to cheer.

Magpies captain Turnbull had the final say, notching up her side's seventh try.

The Sharks will face Mounties at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday in Round 3.