Sharks beat error riddled Roosters

The Sydney Roosters punished themsevles, coming up with error after error and their only try came through luck.

Both sides were able to roll up the field in the first half, going end to end, but neither side could really grab the game by the horns.

The Sharks had most of the ball and took advantage of a host of penalties in front of their own try line.

The second half started well for the Sharks after an awkward pass from hooker Michael Ennis bounced into the hands of halfback Jeff Robson who offloaded to Luke Lewis who scored his 100th try.

The game was locked up at 4-4, but winger Michael Gordon slotted the goal from right in front to put his side in the lead for the first time after 47 minutes.

From there the Sharks waited for mistakes to come and two penalty goals blew their lead to six by fulltime.

In the first half, a grubber kick from the Sharks ended up in the hands of Roosters five eighth James Maloney who darted away to score the first tri of the game in the 16th minute.

He missed the conversion, paving the way for Cronulla to produce an unexpected win in front of their new sponsors.

Next week it's time for a rest for the boys from the Shire, who could potentially even jump into the eight on the back of the bye. They head to Newcastle in a fortnight to further their cause.

For the Roosters, they will face the Warriors across the Tasman next Saturday night without their Origin stars.

Match Details

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 10 Sydney Roosters 4
Venue: Remondis Stadium
Crowd: 14235
Halftime Score: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 0 Sydney Roosters 4

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (10)
Tries: Luke Lewis
Conversions: Michael Gordon (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (4)
Tries: James Maloney
Conversions: James Maloney (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Wade Graham
2 points - Michael Gordon
1 point - Daniel Tupou

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Good afternoon everyone. Roosters are heavy favourites but can the Sharks pull off an upset?

The highlights package has started and that must mean kick off is around the corner. Buckle up.

Roosters take the field, Sharks follow. The home side will kick off this afternoon.

GAME ON!

1: The Sharks knock the ball down after an attempted offload. Roosters inside the Sharks half.

2: Roosters centre Michael Jennings beats two defenders before his opposite number Gerard Beale knocks the ball out of his hand. Sydney scrum 20 from the line.

2: And now Cronulla second rower Wade Graham concedes a penalty inside his own 10 metre zone.

3: HEATED GAME! First some niggle in the first set, now the sides are group hugging.

3: But at the end of the day, Sydney hooker Jake Friend knocks the ball on. Cronulla get a scrum on their own 10 metre line.

4: HUGE defence from the Roosters but it is too aggressive and the Sharks are given a leg up.

4: Sharks are just 30 from the try line.

5: At the end of the set, Sharks dummy half Michael Ennis tries to dive over but is easily tackled.

5: Huge metres from the Roosters forwards means that the Sharks will be given the ball back just 10 from their line.

6: But another penalty goes to the Sharks. It is 2-1 in favour of the home side.

7: Some good defence from the Roosters and miscommunicated attack means Sydney are now working it out of their half.

7: But winger Daniel Tupou puts the ball down and now the Sharks will go on the attack again.

9: Halfback Jeff Robson puts a kick up but the Sydney defenders take it all too easily. They have a set of seven from the 20 metre line.

9: And now Roosters enter the Sharks 40.

10: A Mitchell Pearce cross field bomb is fielded by the Sharks. They get a 20 metre tap also.

11: And much like the previous set, they are now over halfway with tackles up their sleeve.

11: A shift from the Sharks to the right has Feki in space. He is shut down but picks up great metres.

12: Halfback Robson grubbers the ball in the in goal but it rolls dead. 20 tap for the Roosters.

12: Both sides are going blow for blow.

12: And another mistake from the Roosters will let the Sharks off again. They will come from their own 20 metre line.

13: Metres are coming very easy for both sides but no one has stood up in attack yet.

14: Robson tries a bomb this time and Roosters winger Tupou knocks the ball on. Scrum Sharks just 10 from the line.

14: Roosters have made four errors to the Sharks' 1

15: Not much doing for the Sharks. Last tackle.

15: MALONEY HAS PICKED THE BALL UP OFF THE DECK AND IS AWAY

16: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by James Maloney. Kick to come.
Sharks 6 Jack Bird puts a grubber through but it hits the legs of the Roosters defenders. His opposite number picks the ball up and runs 90 metres to score.

18: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
On the left hand side, twenty metres in from touch, Maloney misses the kick to convert his try.

19: Another mistake from Jake Friend means the Roosters will fail to get to a kick. Sharks play the ball close to halfway.

20: A grubber through from Ennis bobbles around before he regathers and is tackled. Roosters will work off their own 10 metre line.

20: And again the Roosters punish themselves. SKD throws it forward.

21: Sharks on the attack inside the 30 of the Roosters.

22: VIDEO REF: Sharks fullback Valentine Holmes busts through the Roosters to score. Time off. No try called. Looking at obstruction.

22: No try has been called. Controversy surrounding this call.

22: Off the back of the penalty, Roosters are inside the Sharks half.

23: Roosters force a drop out after a weird last play option. Lots of offloads and a kick from SKD.

23: Paul Gallen is walking around looking ginger. But he takes his place in the defence.

24: Knock on from RTS just metres from the line gives the Sharks a chance to work it away.

25: Sharks give away a penalty for holding down in the tackle. Roosters will go on the attack.

26: And then the Roosters knock it on. Sharks up around halfway now.

26: A shift to the right for the Sharks has the ball roll out over the sideline.

28: Another mistake from the Roosters relieves pressure. Sharks working it off their own 10 metre line.

29: And now Michael Ennis finds a penalty out of dummy half.

29: It looked like Sam Tagataese knocked on in a play the ball.

29: And then centre Blake Ayshford does the job and drops the pill.

31: Bit of push and shove. Roosters scrum 30 from their own line.

32: A big kick from Pearce is fielded by the Sharks. 20 tap.

33: Sharks 20 away from try line.

33: They lose 20 metres, Jack Bird kicks it into a Rooster, it goes back to hit the Shark and rolls into touch.

34: Roosters into the Sharks half now.

35: And another mistake from the Roosters.

36: Ennis grubbers the ball but Tupou fields it easy. The Roosters are working off their own line.

36: A good kick from James Maloney will see the Sharks coming out of their red zone. First good kick in a while from either side.

37: Shark Ayshford pumps a grubber through but it goes dead. Seven tackles to the Roosters and will go on the attack in the second half of the set.

38: Things were looking up and a flick pass from SKD to Mitch Aubusson who was in open space but he knocks it on.

38: Sharks scrum 15 from their line.

39: A big tackle on Wade Graham means he loses it, it is toed forward by Pearce but the Sharks come up with it.

40: Half-time: The Roosters will take a 4-0 lead into the break after a very slow, error riddled first half.

40: Here we go. Second half underway and Sharks have first use.

40: And off the first tackle in the second half, Gallen clutches at his shoulder.

42: A huge line break from Roosters interchange Siosiua Taukeiaho but during the offload Dylan Napa drops it. Sharks scrum 10 out.

43: Sharks halfback Jeff Robson goes to the sky but the Roosters take it and will work it away.

44: But another Sydney mistake gives the Sharks a chance inside the attacking half.

44: Sharks inside the 20 now, tackles up their sleeve.

45: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
Hooker Michael Ennis has his hand hit, meaning the ball hits the deck but Halfback Robson picks it up and offloads to Luke Lewis who scores under the sticks.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Flash easily slots the conversion and Cronulla hit the lead.

48: A good set by the Sharks after their try. Roosters working it away now and Cronulla are aiming up.

49: The Sharks get a penalty on their 40 metre line. Ennis takes the tap and runs away but is brought down easily. Ennis is a bit ginger and being assessed.

49: Sharks over halfway now.

49: VIDEO REF: Referee says Try. Hooker Michael Ennis brings the ball across the field, hitting Chris Heighington who bursts through a gap. Looking for double movement.

50: NO TRY! Double movement. Penalty Roosters. Big let off.

51: Roosters run it on the last but are tackled. Sharks ball on their own 20.

51: Sharks have all the go forward now.

52: A bomb is put up from Robson but again Tupou defuses it.

53: Sharks get the ball off a last tackle kick but have enough fire power to be into the Roosters half on the fourth.

54: Mitchell Pearce won't let the Sharks up about 8 metres from the try line. They tap it and keep pressure on.

54: Another penalty for interference with the play the ball.

55: Paul Gallen offloads in a tackle but the referee penalises him for throwing it after being tackled. Silly decision from the captain.

55: Roosters into the Sharks half now. Big mistake from Cronulla.

56: A bomb from Pearce comes down to Michael Gordon who takes it high in the air.

56: Sharks making metres at will from their own 20 metre line.

57: Sharks run it on the last. Bird passes to Holmes down the right wing who offloads back to Bird. In an attempt to offload again, Bird drops the ball. Roosters play the ball on their 20 as it was the last tackle.

58: Another bomb is up and is taken by the Sharks. But defenders clearly shoulder attackers. When will the madness end?

58: Sharks are up towards halfway now.

60: Roosters are on the attack .

60: SKD puts a kick in but a knock on was made. Sharks have the ball on their 30 now.

61: Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall knocks a bomb on. Sharks go on attack, 15 out.

62: Ennis tries to burrow over but fails.

62: He grabs a penalty though and the Sharks will take two points.

64: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From right in front, it is easy for Gordon. Sharks now lead 8-4.

65: Sharks have a bit more spring in their step right now. Roosters aren't making it easy on themselves.

66: Sharks have the Roosters inside their own 20. Lots of numbers in tackles now.

67: Sharks enter the attacking half.

67: Knock on Sharks. Roosters have it on their 30.

68: And now a forward pass from Jennings. Sharks have not really been under pressure in the second half.

69: Ennis puts a kick down to the Roosters and it is fielded by Tupou. He manages to break the line and get it back to his 40.

70: Roosters working their way into a great attacking position.

70: A Pearce cross field bomb is marked by Shark winger Feki. 20 metre tap.

71: Sharks just 20 metres out. A try here could win the game.

72: A cross field bomb from Robson comes down in the hands of the Roosters. Then Sharks defenders push them into touch, giving the Roosters a penalty.

73: BUT THE ROOSTERS LOSE THE BALL JUST 20 METRES FROM THERE LINE!

73: Sharks can smell blood in the water.

73: A big tackle on Lule Lewis has left him groggy.

73: Sharks run the ball on the last. Roosters play the ball three metres from the line.

75: A kick from Maloney ends up in Graham's hands and he runs his way into the Roosters half.

76: A smart grubber from Jeff Robson means Aubusson has to punch it dead. Roosters drop out.

76: It didn't go ten. A penalty in front of the sticks to the Sharks.

76: The Sharks will take the two.

77: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Too easy in front of the posts. Have the Sharks done enough?

78: A short kick off is knocked on by Sharks interchange Sam Tagataese.

78: Paul Gallen believes the call is wrong and tells the ref "that is the biggest call of the game mate"

78: Roosters on the attack now.

79: The Roosters had an overlap and fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looks up at the defence and knocks it on. It should be enough for a Sharks win.

79: And the fat lady is belting out Up, Up Cronulla. The home side win.

80: Thanks for joining us. It has been fun.