NYC Rd 13 Parramatta 24 Cronulla 36

by NRL

Fielding a team with a number of changes made as a result of form and injury, the Sharks have recovered from a slow start to score a solid 36-24 victory over the Parramatta Eels.

The NYC Sharks were seeking revenge after being beaten on the bell by the Eels the last time the teams met in round seven, and the Cronulla side ran in seven tries in the win.

The Sharks were on the back foot early, with the Eels posting first points inside the opening 10 minutes with a try out wide.

With the conversion from touch successful the Sharks had fallen behind 6-0 and it would soon become 12 when a charged down clearing kick gifted the Eels field position and they would capitalise with a try under the uprights.

However the young Sharks responded and dominated the next portion of the game, with two tries bringing them within two points of their opponents.

The first four pointer came through fullback Luke Pickerd following a well-worked backline move, before new boy Josh Rainbow crashed over close to the posts. The Rainbow try was converted by Taylar Garrett and the sides went to the break with the Eels ahead by 12-10.

The second half began with the momentum still in the Sharks favour and after tries to Josh Lambert, from a clever cut out pass from Garrett, and then Rea Pitman who broke through some average defense to run 25 metres to score and the Sharks were ahead by 18-12.

A penalty late in the tackle count just three minutes later gave the Eels a set of six on the Sharks line and it took them only three tackles to score, with prop Fraser Masinamua barging his way over.

The conversion attempt by the Eels was successful and with 30 minutes left on the clock the scores were locked up at 18-all.

A one-on-one strip by lock Paul McClory turned the tide back in the Sharks favour and this time they would be the team to take advantage, with halfback Penani Manumalealii slicing through some threadbare goal line defense to put his side back on top.

Garrett added the extras and the Sharks took a commanding 30-18 lead.

The game then took another turn when two players, James Hasson from the Sharks and Robbie Kamoto from the Eels were sent to the sin bin following a melee after the ensuing kickoff.

The two teams composed themselves but it would be the Sharks who would go further in front when Daniel Moroko crossed, with again Garrett adding the extras from long range to take the score out to 36-18 with around 12 minutes of the match remaining.

The Eels would cross for a consolation try through Trent Jennings but the home team had left their run too late, with the Sharks claiming the win and the two competition points with a 36-24 victory.

With the win the Sharks maintain their position in the top eight, while at the halfway mark of the competition the Eels have left themselves some work to do.

CRONULLA SHARKS 36
(Daniel Moroko 2, Luke Pickerd, Joshua Rainbow, Josh Lambert, Ria Pitman, Penani Manumalealii Tries; Taylar Garrett 4/6 Manumalealii 0/1 Goals)
Defeated
PARRAMATTA EELS 24
(Ben Fritz, Corey Makelim, Frazer Masinamua, Trent Jennings Tries; Jason Wehbe 3/3, Jennings 1/1 Goals)

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