Strong start for junior Sharks
The Matthews Cup Sharks fell behind 12-0 early, while in the SG Ball match to follow again the Sharks stuttered to a 14-0 deficit, before both teams staged impressive comebacks to score round one wins.
In matches played against Penrith at the HE Laybutt Field in Blacktown, the under-17 Matts Cup Sharks would go on to register a dominant 30-16 triumph, while in the SG Ball clash a stirring fightback resulted in a 26-18 victory to the under-19 Cronulla side.
In the Matthews Cup a Sharks kick-off error gifted Penrith field position before they would score first points, their number nine diving over from dummy half.
A second mistake from the young Cronulla team again allowed the Panthers t move into an attacking zone and once more that would capitalize with a try from short range, and after two successful conversions the home team led 12-0 inside the first 10 minutes of the game.
Showing good composure, the Sharks worked their way back into the contest, with a well worked set move seeing centre Kaylan Turner hit a gap before evading the fullback in a 25-metre dash to the try line.
Liam Challenor was on target with the conversion attempt and it was 12-6 Panthers.
Encouraged by their opening try the Sharks went back on the attack and managed to level the score courtesy of a determined short-side charge from lock Thomas Stepic and a Challenor conversion from wide out, with the teams going to the half time break locked at 12-points all.
Showing superior fitness and an ability to control the ball, the Sharks began to assert their authority early in the second half, with a Challenor 40-20 putting his team deep on the attack.
A few tackles later the Sharks would reap the benefits of the Challenor kick with a try wide out to winger Brodie Johnson, with another successful kick at goal putting the Cronulla side up 18-12, before hard running back rower Logan Longbottom crashed over adjacent to the uprights to help his side to a 12-point advantage.
The Panthers would give themselves some hope of a comeback when awarded a dubious try after the referee appeared to miss an obvious knock-on, making the score 24-16 with nine minutes left on the clock, but the Sharks would prove too good, centre Thomas Beattie crossing for the match sealing try after cleverly picking up a chip kick from five eighth Spencer Swann.
It was a solid first-up performance from a Sharks side which had a number of standouts, none better than Challenor at half back, Longbottom who added energy and physicality off the bench, hooker Tobi Beckett was busy while providing good service and big front rower Jamie Curran led the way up front.
In the SG Ball match it was almost a similar script to the Matthews Cup game which preceded it, the Sharks their own worst enemies in the early exchanges, conceding three tries to trail 14-0 midway through the first half.
They would settle down and work their way into the contest, a Prestyn Laine-Sietu off-load setting winger Bailey Leach up for the Sharks first points, Callum Grantham converting from the western touchline, with the half time score of 14-6 flattering for what had been a disappointing Sharks team.
However, whatever was discussed during the break certainly had the desired effect, with interchange forward Tipene Thompson scoring, Grantham adding the extras to make it 14-12, before a Penrith try would push their advantage back out to six points.
From that point the Sharks would gain the upper hand, half back Blake Wardrobe scoring a 51st minute try and not long after Leach a second out wide, the two conversions giving the under-19 Cronulla outfit a six point lead, before a Grantham penalty goal on fulltime secured the win.
The two Sharks junior rep teams play round two matches at Sharks Stadium against the Canberra Raiders next Saturday.
