Penitani inspires Sharks comeback to down Raiders

Former Jillaroos star Nakia Davis-Welsh scored the match winning try in her first NRLW appearance for Cronulla as the Sharks came from behind to continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 24-12 win in Canberra.

Davis-Welsh, who returned to the game last season after playing fullback for Australia in the 2017 World Cup and then becoming pregnant with the first of two children, scored in the 59th minute as the Sharks came from 12-0 down.

A late call-up on the wing by Cronulla coach Tony Herman, Davis-Welsh also saved a try with a tackle on Raiders centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti as the home side looked to increase their lead early in the second half. 

Maddison Bartlett opened the scoring for the Raiders after McKenzie Wiki threw an overhead pass at the end of a backline shift for the Kiwis Ferns winger to cross for her 21st NRLW try in the 15th minute.  

With halfback Zahara Temara off the field for a HIA, winger Shakiah Tungai converted from the sideline and she then extended Canberra's lead with a 19th minute penalty goal.

Trailing 8-0 at halftime, the Sharks had the worst possible start to the second term when centre Annessa Biddle knocked on from the kick off and Wiki put Bartlett over for her second try in the next set of tackles.

However, it was all one-way traffic from then on with Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani inspiring a second half comeback from the Sharks when she forced her way over the tryline in the 46th minute.

Biddle scored from a scrum win in the 54th minute as momentum shifted, with the Sharks piling on four quick tries to snatch victory.

Prop Holli Wheeler was the next to score in the 57th minute before Davis-Welsh crossed out wide two minutes later to give Cronulla an 18-12 lead.

Front-rower Ellie Johnston sealed the win when she scored in the 64th minute.