Rookie Bird learns to fly

Rookie sensation Jack Bird has scored two crucial tries to lead to the Cronulla Sharks to a come from behind victory over the Newcastle Knights in front of 14,081 fans at Hunter Stadium this afternoon.

The match ended in controversy when the Knights own rookie sensation, fullback Jake Mamo was hit high by Sharks halfback Jeff Robson. Replays showed that Mamo was hit high, however to the chagrin of the home crowd no penalty was awarded and the referees ruled the Knights flyer play the ball with just under a minute remaining in the match.

The Knights were at times in control of the match and Coach Rick Stone will be ruing the fact that they they let a ten point lead slip twice throughout the afternoon. Newcastle has now lost 9 of their last 10, a far cry from when they started the season winning their opening 4 games.

The Knights started the match up 4-0 after 7 minutes thanks to two penalty goals from skipper Kurt Gidley.

It was the Sharks who scored the first try of the match when man of the match Jack Bird and centre Gerard Beale combined beautifully and showed sublime hands to put another rookie of the year contender Valentine Holmes over in the corner. Michael Gordon missed from the sideline to keep the scores locked at 4 all.

Knights prop Kade Snowden went on report for a high shot on Sharks opposite Matt Prior in the 20th minute which gifted Gordon with a penalty right in front of the posts to give Cronulla the lead.

Not long after, Queensland State of Origin contender Dane Gagai then sliced through the Sharks defensive line and grubbered ahead for fullback Jake Mamo who got the bounce and put the Knights in the lead for the second time in the match.

Five minutes later, Knights skipper Kurt Gidley put backrower Robbie Rochow through a yawning gap and then found NSW backrower Beau Scott who scored next to the posts. Gidley added the extras and the Knights were looking like igniting their season.

Then just before halftime two terrible errors in a row from Kurt Gidley, including a penalty for a strip, gave the Sharks a chance and it was that man Jack Bird who took it by scoring from a beautiful set play. Michael Gordon kicked the conversion and the Sharks were back in it, trailing by just four points at the break.

In the 44th minute, Jake Mamo ensured he would be on the highlights reel for weeks to come, when he spectacularly batted back a kick for himself, which sailed over the dead ball line but mid air Mamo flicked it back for a waiting Carlos Tuimavave to extend Newcastle's lead to ten points.

Ben Barba entered the fray in the 50th minute and had an immediate impact, when he found veteran Luke Lewis who scored despite being collected high by Knights backrower Tariq Sims. The on-field referees went upstairs for a possible 8-point try but this was denied and the try was given. Sims however may find himself under the scrutiny of the match review committee come Monday.

Minutes later, Ben Barba scored from a sensational inside ball from Wade Graham. Gordon made it 22-18 and the Sharks were in front.

The Sharks again threatened the Knights line minutes later, when Bird under pressure from the Knights defensive line, showed great composure grubbering for himself, re-gathering and scoring. The Sharks were all of the sudden in front 30-22 with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.

Sharks hooker Michael Ennis and back rower Wade Graham then took control of the tempo with their fifth tackle options, continually forcing the Knights making their way out deep in their own half.

The Knights made a dramatic comeback in the closing stages when prop Kade Snowden muscled his way over the line against his former club, to give Newcastle an outside chance of victory. Gidley added the extras to make it six from six with the boot and a narrow 2 points from victory with a minute remaining.

The Sharks win puts them on the edge of the Top 8 and with a bit of confidence as the head to Townsville next week to take on the high flying Cowboys. Newcastle will need to pick up the pieces quickly as they also travel to Queensland, to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Match Details

Newcastle Knights 28 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 30
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Crowd: 14081
Halftime Score: Newcastle Knights 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (28)
Tries: Jake Mamo, Beau Scott, Carlos Tuimavave, Kade Snowden
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Kurt Gidley (2/2)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (30)
Tries: Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird (2), Luke Lewis, Ben Barba
Conversions: Michael Gordon (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Jack Bird
2 points - Michael Ennis
1 point - Jake Mamo

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to the first game of Sunday afternoon football from Hunter Stadium in Newcastle for the clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla Sharks.

Late Changes for both sides for the first game on Sunday afternoon football.

Newcastle have lost Tyrone Roberts, which sees Kurt Gidley move to halfback and Jake Mamo will debut at fullback. Adam Clydesdale is also out with another debutant Danny Levi taking his place on the bench with Tyler Randall to start. Patrick Vaivai starts at lock for the Knights, with Chris Houston moving to the bench.

For the Sharks, Paul Gallen is out, with Jayson Bukuya moving into the starting start. This sees Ben Barba return from injury on the bench.

Stay tuned for a cracker of a game, with both sided desperate for the 2 points and equally desperate to find some form.

Expecting a huge game from Andrew Fifita today with no Paul Gallen for the Sharkies and the opportunity of an NSW Origin re-call for Game III.

Best of luck to fullback Jake Mamo and interchange hooker Danny Levi who make their NRL debuts for the Knights.

1: We are underway at Hunter Stadium!

4: Penalty Knights - right in front of the sticks against Wade Graham for holding down Beau Scott.

5: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Penalty goal attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Gidley gets the Knights on the board. Newcastle 2-0.

6: Jake Mamo in fact plays his 7th First grade game. First of the season.

7: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Ricky Leutele makes an unforced error.
Leutele drops the ball cold 10 metres out from their own line. Huge chance Newcastle.

7: Penalty Knights, Matt Prior penalised for a strip. Newcastle to go for the 2 points.

7: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Penalty goal attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Gidley makes no mistake. Its Newcastle 4 Cronulla 0.

9: Sharks bomb Uate's wing, but he takes it comfortably.

11: Kick from Michael Ennis comes of Tariq Sims and into touch. Sims didn't play at it, good result Newcastle scrum just short of halfway.

12: Huge bomb to the wing of Valentine Holmes. Holmes takes it easily.

13: Penalty Sharks for the Knights slowing down the play the ball. Sharks on the attack.

14: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
Try for Cronulla. Beautiful hands from Jack Bird and Gerard Beale puts Valentine Holmes in for the first try of the game.

15: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Gordon just misses from the sideline. Score remains 4 all at Hunter Stadium.

19: Gidley kicks deep on the last finds Gordon on the full. Sharks over halfway.

20: Penalty Sharks - Sneaky hand in the ruck from Newcastle. Big chance for the Sharks.

20: Another penalty Sharks - Snowden on report for high shot on Matt Prior. Sharks elect for 2.

20: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon makes no mistake from in front. Sharks lead 6-4.

21: Leutele gets a hospital ball and is cleaned up by Gagai, does well to hold onto it.

22: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Gerard Beale makes an unforced error.
Beale puts it out on the full. Poor 5th tackle options from Cronulla.

24: Great last tackle option this time from the Sharks with Wade Graham pushing Jake Mamo into the corner deep in the Knights own half.

26: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Jake Mamo. Kick to come.
Sensational try Newcastle! Dane Gagai slices through and grubbers ahead for Jake Mamo who gets a great bounce and scores beside the posts.

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Gidley kicks the extras and despite struggling to get out of their own half in the last 10 minutes, Its Newcastle 10-6.

30: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tyler Randell makes an unforced error.
Randall throws a forward pass and gives the Sharks a scrum 30 metres out.

32: Great defence Newcastle as they tackle Gerard Beale on the last and then receive a penalty on the 2nd. Knights tap 30m inside their own half.

33: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Beau Scott. Kick to come.
Try time Newcastle. Gidley put Robbie Rochow through a yawning gap, who finds Beau Scott who scores beside the posts. Newcastle 14-6 kick to come.

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Kurt Gidley makes it 4 from 4 for the afternoon. Knights 16 Sharks 6.

37: Sharks make a bust downfield and Feki grubbers ahead. Cleaned up by Mamo.

38: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kurt Gidley makes an unforced error.
Terrible error Knights. Gidley puts his foot on the sideline from dummy half. Sharks scrum 10m out.

38: Penalty Sharks - Gidley attempts a strip in a 3 man tackle.

39: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Jack Bird. Kick to come.
Jack Bird scores from a great set play. Crucial try before halftime for Cronulla. 16-10 kick to come.

39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon makes no mistake and the Sharks are back in it just before halftime.

40: It's Halftime at Hunter Stadium and it's Newcastle leading Cronulla 16-12.

40: Newcastle lead Cronulla 16-12 at halftime and the scoreline is a true reflection of the game so far. Newcastle have been in control for the majority of the first half, but have certainly left the door open for Cronulla with a late try to Sharks five-eighth Jack Bird. We have an exciting second half coming up so stay tuned!

40: Second Half under way in Newcastle! Knights kickoff.

41: Michael Ennis goes for a deep kick on the last but it rolls dead. 20m tap Knights.

42: Knights bomb the Sharks left wing and get 6 more. Knights on the attack!

44: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Carlos Tuimavave. Kick to come.
A spectacular try! Jake Mamo kicks the ball forward off the deck and then leaps mid air short of the dead ball line and flicks it back to Tuimavave! Amazing try!!

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Gidley makes it 5 from 5. Newcastle 22 Cronulla 12.

45: Penalty Knights against Ennis for not rolling away. Knights on the attack 40m out.

46: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Akuila Uate makes an unforced error.
Uate nearly bulldozes through but throws the offload to Jeff Robson. Sharks ball.

47: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jack Bird makes an unforced error.
Jack Bird puts it out on the full on the last tackle. Knights full of confidence.

48: Ben Barba comes on for winger Feki. Gordon moves to the wing.

49: Newcastle test Ben Barba with a bomb, he makes no mistake.

50: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
Cronulla spring to life as Gerard Beale splits them down the right, he finds Barba who swerves, pivots and finds Luke Lewis. Possible penalty try with Tariq Sims hitting him high as he scores.

50: No Penalty try. Tariq Sims on report for the high shot.

51: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Cronulla back in it. Knights lead 22-18

53: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Ben Barba. Kick to come.
Ben Barba scores from a superb inside ball from Wade Graham. Sensational try!

54: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon picks up the extra 2. All of the sudden it is Cronulla in front 24-22.

55: Penalty Sharks - Snowden holding on far too long.

57: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Jack Bird. Kick to come.
Jack Bird scores a superb solo try. Gets the ball 5 metres out, grubbers for himself and scores. Sharks on fire! 28-22 kick to come.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon makes no mistake and it's now Cronulla 30 Newcastle 22.

61: Sione Mata'utia makes a strong run but is tackled on the last. Sharks ball deep inside their own half. Newcastle shell shocked at Hunter Stadium.

61: Penalty Sharks - 4 in a row, high shot from Kane Snowden on Prior for the second time today.

63: Jack Bird makes a superb cutting run and is brought down 5m out. Knights knock the ball dead on the last and a repeat set for Cronulla.

64: Mamo gets the Knights out of trouble and they have the ball finally 2m out from their own line.

67: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Andrew Fifita makes an unforced error.
Sims ruled to have knocked on stripping the ball from Andrew Fifita. Overuled by video ref, loose carry from Fifita.

69: Michael Ennis drills the ball into the corner, forcing Mamo to make his way out of his own half yet again.

70: Penalty Knights - Tagatese ruled to have stripped the ball, chance Newcastle 15m out.

71: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kurt Gidley makes an unforced error.
Gidley throws a forward pass. Let off for the Sharks.

72: Graham drills it into touch. Good play, gives the forwards a rest.

75: Ennis again makes Mamo bring it out from his own corner. Knights need a spark.

76: Penalty Knights - Tagatese strip. Last roll of the dice you would think.

77: Gidley kicks for the corner and it is batted over the dead ball line. Drop out Cronulla.

78: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Kade Snowden. Kick to come.
Kade Snowden powers over and the on field ref says try...Michael Ennis says no try...Video ref can't over rule it. Try Knights!

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
Gidley gets it. Grandstand finish coming up. Cronulla lead 30-28!

78: Mamo almost slices through and is collected high by Jeff Robson. No penalty!

79: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Jake Mamo makes an unforced error.
Jake Mamo tries to grubber through but ruled to have knocked on. Sharks play the ball.

80: It's fulltime and Cronulla win 30-28 in a thrilling finish at Hunter Stadium!