Sharks' afternoon delight in big win over Tigers

Sharks have moved to fifth spot, albeit temporarily with a 40-18 win over the Wests Tigers in front of 15,738 fans at Shark Park.

The Sharks coming into today off their chastening loss to the Storm, worked their frustrations out on the deplorable Tigers to help fix their negative for-and-against led by superstar winger Valentine Holmes.

There were points before the Tigers even touched a ball, as Luke Lewis strode into a huge hole after consecutive sets to make it 6-nil. Gordon added a tenth minute penalty goal to stretch it out to eight.

Tigers got some rare delight as Luke Brooks scooped up a loose pass to take on Valentine Holmes in a foot race. The Sharks winger won the battle but Wests got the points as a shift left allowed Tim Simona to touch down.

Afternoon football brought out the best in the Sharks, who usually base their game around grinding down their opponents. They ground the Tigers down through points this afternoon as Sosaia Feki and Michael Ennis burrowed across to break the twenty point barrier. The first time Cronulla had done that in a first half all season.

Jason Taylor gave his troops a rev-up in the sheds but it was business as usual after the break. An error from the visitors gave Holmes space, and they signalled trouble as he was too quick for 24-6, and it was looking ominous for the embattled Tigers to be on the end of a huge scoreline.

Back-to-back tries from two forwards, in Martin Taupau and Curtis Sironen gave the Tigers some brief hope when it was clawed back to six points the difference. Once again though, they shot themselves in the foot again with dropped ball and penalties, as the ruthless Sharks enjoyed some afternoon delight.

Holmes once again was first to a loose ball, showing the hunger that has sustained this Sharks side throughout the season. He once again out-paced the chasers to put the game to bed. From there it was a procession of points to make the final scoreline 40-18 to the Sharks.

Two of the longest serving Sharks in Wade Graham and Michael Gordon that reaped the rewards and sent the Shark Park crowd into raptures. Graham was on spot, after Jayson Bukuya embodied the Sharks spirit this afternoon to dive over. Gordon combined with the two young starlets in Bird and Holmes for the final try lifting Sharks into 5th position.

Match Details

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 40 Wests Tigers 18
Venue: Remondis Stadium
Crowd: 15738
Halftime Score: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20 Wests Tigers 6

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (40)
Tries: Luke Lewis, Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Michael Ennis, Valentine Holmes (2), Wade Graham
Field Goals:
Conversions: Michael Gordon (5/7)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (1/1)

WESTS TIGERS (18)
Tries: Tim Simona, Martin Taupau, Curtis Sironen
Field Goals:
Conversions: Pat Richards (3/3)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Michael Gordon
2 points - Valentine Holmes
1 point - Wade Graham

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

TEAM CHANGES:

CRO: All easy for the home side, despite their Monday night loss they are 1 through to 17.

WST: Some changes in the pack for the visitors. Chris Lawrence and Dene Halatau are elevated to starting minutes with Martin Taupau onto the bench. Manaia Cherrington and Jack Buchanan drop off.

Welcome to Shark Park, on a warm winter afternoon - the first of our triple header sees Cronulla look to rebound after their heavy defeat to Melbourne Storm last weekend against an enigmatic Tigers team that is trying to lift themselves out of the spoon race. It has been an interesting season for the visitors who have picked up some big scalps in the premiers but can't find consistency.

Cronulla were on a roll for the last few months which lifted them into the top eight but after last week, can they rebound and put away the Tigers like expected? Find out at 3pm AEST.

1: Here come the Tigers onto a sun drenched Shark Park, led out captain Farah. Next is the home side, in their traditional black, blue and white.

1: KICK-OFF! Sharks will get first use.

2: We only needed a minute for the first PENALTY. Ennis tapped quick and here we go.

2: Now, a second PENALTY to the Sharks.

4: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Luke Brooks makes an unforced error.
Brooks knocks it down so another SIX for the Sharks.

5: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
The Tigers finally cracked. They almost went through with Lewis on the fist time but he was taken. This time, it was into a huuuge gap.

6: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
An easy first attempt for Gordon, swings it over for the perfect start.

9: PENALTY Sharks! They are just playing too fast for the Tigers. They opt for the two this time.

10: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon pilots this through.

11: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Ennis makes an unforced error.
Ennis tried to milk the penalty but only dropped the ball.

18: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards knocks through to reduce it to 8-6.

20: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Tim Simona. Kick to come.
Simona on the end of an easy try after Brooks runaway effort.

20: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Mitchell Moses makes an unforced error.
Farah tries the inside ball to Moses but it is spilled.

21: SIX MORE.. Tigers really reefing at the ball in the ruck.

22: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Sosaia Feki. Kick to come.
Easy try for Feki now! Ennis went the short side, found Leutele who drew in the defense and sent Feki in.

24: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From the sideline here. A solitary man boos while Gordon kicks, good on him but it was to no avail as it was swung over.

25: Clear as day, block from the Sharks there.

26: ...and another.

28: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Curtis Sironen makes an unforced error.
Tigers trying to get too fancy at the wrong end of the field.

30: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Michael Ennis. Kick to come.
Mick Ennis does what he does best! Burrowed and fought for a try!

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Sharks have hit twenty! Do not be alarmed.

33: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jack Bird makes an unforced error.
Bird almost into space again but couldn't handle it.

33: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Martin Taupau makes an unforced error.
Taupau was swarmed in that tackle!

38: PENALTY Tigers! Moses caught high.. quick tap.

39: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
David Nofoaluma makes an unforced error.
Nofoaluma butchered that! He had the line wide open and spilled it!

41: Both teams back onto the park, Tigers take their mark in the north end of Shark Park, ready to receive.

41: KICK-OFF for the second half!

42: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Mitchell Moses makes an unforced error.
Second half continues as the first did, Tigers knock on.

42: ...followed by a PENALTY.

43: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
Quick hands and Holmes speeds away!

44: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
From out wide, Gordon looks to continue the fun in the sun. He missed it.

46: It took 45 minutes but Pat Richards finally got a funky kick-off. Dropout incoming

47: Another dropout incoming after the safe hands from Lewis. Tigers building some momentum.

48: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
Gordon must be a fan of frozen cause he let it goooo, let it goooo!

49: PENALTY Tigers, not off quick enough.

50: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Martin Taupau. Kick to come.
Taupau launched himself at the line and touched down!

51: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards wastes no time and converts.

54: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
David Nofoaluma makes an unforced error.
Tigers couldn't complete their dinner today. Nofoaluma does all the hard work then throws an unnecessary offload.

55: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Tinirau Arona makes an unforced error.
Arona spills it now. Tigers off the hook.

59: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Curtis Sironen. Kick to come.
Tigers are back in this! Sironen dribbled a kick for himself and regathered, spun to score.

60: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards smashes through the conversion.

66: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
Holmes pounces on the loose ball and runs the rest of the way! Sharks back out to twelve.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon confirms the twelve point lead.

68: PENALTY Sharks. Here they come again.

74: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Wade Graham. Kick to come.
That'll put the game away! Jayson Bukuya just wouldn't go down, got into space and sent Graham away.

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon adds another to his tally.

77: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Michael Gordon. Kick to come.
Just champagne stuff there! They sent the Tigers inside and out before Holmes, Bird and Gordon linked for the points.

78: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Gordon lines up his seventh conversion of the afternoon, and misses.

79: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
James Tedesco makes an unforced error.
That passage of play just summed up the Tigers afternoon.