Mixed day for young Sharks

After two strong wins to open their season the Matthews Cup Sharks were their own worst enemies for much of first half against Parramatta, errors and ill-discipline seeing them go to half time down by 16-10.

Both Sharks tries came from backrower Cruz Parkin.

The second Parkin try right on half time was a positive way to finish the first half, however a long-range four-pointer by the Eels against the run of play, coming after another Cronulla error while attacking their opponent's line, and they had it all to do at 20-10 down midway through the second period.

The young Sharks side displayed commendable composure, earned attacking field position and when Thomas Stepic crashed over adjacent to the posts, the try converted by Liam Challenor, they had given themselves some hope at 20-16 behind with five minutes remaining.

A ruck penalty seemingly cruelled the Sharks' chances, before a play the ball mistake by the Eels gifted the Cronulla side possession, then it was a short-side play, well finished off by Brodie Johnson, the winger planting the ball down in the south-eastern corner of the field, which would level the scores.

Taking up the challenge under pressure Challenor was on target from the touchline, with the Sharks then managing to hold firm over the final two-minutes and claim their third win in as many matches to start the 2025 season.

Unfortunately for the Sharks, the SG Ball match followed a similar pattern, but the outcome would fall in favour of the Eels.

The Sharks took a 10-6 lead to the break, courtesy of tries to Tom Dellow and Dallas Blackburn-Kingi, the first coming when the Sharks lock showed good footwork and power from close range, the second following a clever off-load form five eighth Callum Grantham, however the Eels would score first after half time, the converted try putting them up by 12-10.

Again, the Sharks responded, Alex Challenor getting across the stripe, converted by Grantham and with 15 minutes left on the clock the Cronulla under-19’s were up 18-12.

The Eels pulled within two with a try six minutes from full time, before the match winner and conversion saw them clinch the 22-18 victory in the dying moments.

In the Matthews Cup the Sharks joined the Rabbitohs as the only two teams with three wins from the opening three rounds, while the Sharks sit 10th on the SG Ball ladder following the Eels loss.

The two Sharks junior rep teams return home in round four for matches against the Newcastle Knights. The Matthews Cup clash is scheduled to kick off at 12noon at Sharks Stadium, followed by the SG Ball match at 1.45pm.

Lead photo: Adam Wrightson