Round 23
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28 l. Wests Tigers 29

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Farah the difference as Sharks lose another close game
Mon August 20, 2007
Source: www.sharks.com.au

In yet another match which has come down to the wire, the Sharks have been beaten 29-28 by the Wests Tigers by a Robbie Farrah field goal 60-seconds from full time.

With the scores locked at 28-all, it was the Farrah kick which proved the difference, the star hooker sneaking a 20-metre field goal attempt just over the cross bar to the delerious celebrations of his team.

The result was a continuation of what has been a heartbreaking season for the Sharks, who have now lost an incredible nine game by four points or less.

While devastated by the loss, coach Ricky Stuart, was again happy with the effort from his team, however he was less than satisfied with some aspects of their performance.

"Yes it was another close loss, but this was one I thought we lost rather than had it taken from us," he said. "We should have gone on with it after building that half time lead."

In an enterprising first half performance, the Sharks scored three tries to one in establishing an 18-4 lead, but it was the period immediately after the break which saw the Tigers gain the upper hand, before a late Sharks revivial almost brought them what would have been an exciting victory.

The Sharks first half advantage came on the back of an inspired performance from half back Brett Seymour, who had a hand in all three Sharks four pointers.

They put the first points on the board with a spectacular piece of play, insitgated by Seymour. The Sharks number seven sliced through, beating numerous defenders, before somehow getting his left boot to the ball to dribble it across for Luke Covell to dive on the ball.

Covell converted from the sideline and the Sharks led 6-0 after 10 minutes of play.

The Tigers however managed an immediate reply, with a Benji Marshall cut out pass finding Daniel Fitzhenry in space, the Tigers winger diving over in the scoreboard corner.

Then came two video refereeing decisions, both of which favoured the Sharks. The first came when the Tigers were denied a try after a knock on in the lead up by Fitzhenry, before Greg Bird, in the next set of six, would find a gaping hole in the opposition defence and sprint 30-metres to score.

Covell converted the Bird four-pointer and after 30-minutes of the match the Sharks led by 12-4.

The Sharks would then extend the margin heading to half time break, when Marshall looked all at sea under a Seymour bomb, with Covell batting the ball back for Pomeroy to score his 12th try of the season.

Covell's kick was again perfect and the Sharks would go to the break with a handy 18-4 lead.

A couple of Sharks errors gifted the Tigers two tries in the early stages of the second half, with Marshall scoring an 80-metre try after scooping up a loose ball, before winger Taniela Tuiaki benefitted from a Misi Taulapapa mistake to bridge the gap further and put his team just four behind.

Then before the Sharks had managed another possession, the Tigers were in again, taking their first lead of the night when Brett Hodgson scored after a Robbie Farrah line break.

The Tigers added to that lead in the 60th minute when Chris Lawrence showed good strength to plant the ball down centimetres from the corner post and after Marshall kicked the conversion from touch the Tigers had extended their lead to 28-18.

But just when the 12,00-plus crowd thought the Sharks had thrown in the towel, they responded, with a try 13 minutes from full time. It was again Seymour who was involved, breaking through the line, before finding Bird, who kicked for David Simmons, who in turn flipped the ball up for Taulapapa to touch down.

The Sharks then pressed again and once mroe it was Seymour, this time kicking for Covell, who jumped high over Marshall to score his second of the night. The conversion attempt from wide out was waved away and a frantic nine minutes followed, with Farrah eventually sealing the result with his drop goal.

The loss sees the Sharks now well and truly out of the finals race, while the Tigers have all but assured themselves a place in the playoffs.

For the Sharks, the obvious standout was Seymour, the former Bronco having a hand in all five Sharks tries, while his kicking game was also a feature of his performance.

Bird and Gallen worked hard in the forwards, as did Reece Williams and Luke Douglas, while Mitch Brown's improvement at fullback continues, with the local product destined for a bright future in the game.

The Sharks have another home game next week, their last for 2007, when they host the Gold Coast Titans.

SHARKS 28
Luke Covell 2, Greg Bird, Ben Pomeroy, Misi Taulapapa tries, Luke Covell 4 goals
Lost to
WESTS TIGERS 29
Daniel Fitzhenry, Benji Marshall, Taniela Tuiaki, Brett Hodgson, Chris Lawrence tries Benji Marshall 4 goals, Robbie Farrah field goal

Minute by minute scoring
9 min - Luke Covell try, Covell goal - Sharks 6-0
11 min - Daniel Fitzhenry try - Sharks 6-4
29 min - Greg Bird try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 12-4
39 min - Ben Pomeroy try, Luke Covell goal - Sharks 18-4
half time
47 min - Benji Marshall try, Marshall goal - Sharks 18-10
51 min - Taniela Tuiaki try - Sharks 18-14
54 min - Brett Hodgson try, Marshll goal - Tigers 20-18
56 min - Marshall goal - Tigers 22-18
60 min - Chris Lawrence try, Marshall goal - Tigers 28-18
67 min - Misi Taulapapa try, Luke Covell goal - Tigers 28-24
71 min - Luke Covell try - 28-all
79 min - Robbie Farah drop goal - Tigers 29-28

Report source: www.sharks.com.au

Have your say on the 2007 rleague.com Fan Survey by CLICKING HERE for more information.


Farah being treated for bruised hip
Tue August 14, 2007
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah is being treated for a bruised hip after suffering the injury against the Sydney Roosters at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.

Farah will be monitored by rehabilitation manager Andrew Leeds in the lead-up to the game against the Sharks at Toyota Park this Saturday at 5.30pm.

Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens has named his team to play Cronulla. In changes to the team beaten by the Sydney Roosters, Chris Lawrence moves to the centres to replace Paul Whatuira, who drops back to the interchange bench.

Stuart Flanagan comes in at hooker for the injured Robbie Farah (hip). Keith Galloway has been named in the front row to replace the injured Bryce Gibbs (ankle).

News sent by: www.weststigers.com.au

Advanced Search