Clinical Cronulla extinguish Energetic Eels

Cronulla produced a strong defensive effort in the second half to record a tough 24-18 win and win their fifth game in a row, in front of 14,327 fans at Toyota Stadium.

Looking at the opening of the game, one would think Parramatta were the team having won four on the trot, with the Eels looking upbeat and opening the scoring when Jarryd Hayne flew onto a short pass from Ben Roberts to open the scoring for the Eels.

This stung the Sharks into action, following a penalty, Cronulla ventured into Eels territory and Todd Carney kicked for a leaping Matthew Wright to restore parity to the score.

Cronulla weren't done there though, Ben Pomeroy who had a strong all round game burst through the Eels defense and sold Jarryd Hayne the dummy to walk in for the Shark's second try.

Errors and penalties were killing Parramatta, as it gave Cronulla piggybacks from their own area, letting Todd Carney add further creedence to why he should be the NSW five-eighth with another chip kick, this time Jason Bukuya who picked up the scraps, making it 18-6 in the blink of an eye.

Parramatta needed to score before halftime to stay within the contest and not only did they score once through a magical flick pass from Jarryd Hayne for Cheyse Blair but also Jarryd Hayne turning recipient touching down from a Chris Sandow bomb.

This flurry of try-scoring left the scores deadlocked at 18 all going into the break, with Hayne and Carney both giving the crowd a glimpse of what could be in store, if both are picked for NSW this season.

After the flowing first half, the second was more of a defensive display with both side's showing they can defend their line if required. Cronulla though, through a lovely second man play from who else but Todd Carney sent Stewart Mills over for the sole try of the second half and maybe booked Carney a blue jersey.

Carney added a penalty goal to make it a converted try lead at 24-18 which was enough to repel a gallant Parramatta side who couldn't convert the late opportunities they were handed but was an improvement from the past few weeks.

Match Details
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 24 defeated Parramatta Eels 18
National Rugby League - Round 7 - Sunday April 15, 2012 2:00pm
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Referee: Steve Lyons and Henry Perenara
Video Referee: Rod Lawrence
Touch Judges: Adam Reid and Dave Ryan
Crowd: 14,327
Halftime: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18 Parramatta Eels 18

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Todd Carney (3 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
2 Points - Jarryd Hayne (2 Tries)
1 Point - Jason Bukuya (1 Try)

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (24)
Tries: Ben Pomeroy, Matthew Wright, Jason Bukuya, Stewart Mills
Conversions: Todd Carney (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Todd Carney (1/1)

Parramatta Eels (18)
Tries: Jarryd Hayne (2), Cheyse Blair
Conversions: Chris Sandow (3/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Shark Park for this afternoon's game between Cronulla and Parramatta.
Here we go! Parramatta get first possession.
1 min: The ball spills out the back from Parramatta but it's judged to be a knock from Cronulla in trying to dive on the ball.
4 min: Cronulla with their first possession, kick the ball out. Cagey start from both teams.
5 min: Jarryd Hayne almost creates the first try-scoring opportunity but the pass is touched by Cronulla.
7 min: TRY Media Mantarays
From the resulting scrum, Roberts takes it to the line and gives it to Hayne who just strolled in. Sandow converts.
Parramatta Eels 6-0
8 min: Fui Fui finds himself into some space and releases his winger who is thrown over the sideline.
9 min: Cronulla are just chancing their arm too early, Ben Ross again trying to offload and it's spilled.
11 min: Parramatta look full of intent this afternoon, forcing another drop out. Their hard work is spoiled with a forward pass from the line drop out.
12 min: Toyota Stadium erupts with the Sharks earning their first penalty for offside. Ben Ross takes the first hit-up from the resulting penalty and is hit high, another penalty.
14 min: Some luck coming for Cronulla. Carney stabs one through, it hits Ben Roberts and a Parramatta absentmindly falls on it, penalty.
16 min: TRY
The glut of possession from Cronulla produces dividends. Carney kicks one across field, landing it almost on the goal posts but Wright is there to pluck it out of the air to score! Carney with the conversion, doesn't miss.
6 all
20 min: TRY
Carney throws it wide to Pomeroy who palms off Esi Tonga to get into space and has the winger in support. He dummies and walks the try in himself. Carney makes it two from two with his conversions.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 12-6
23 min: After an energetic start, it's gone downhill for Parramatta. They knocked it on from their own attacking kick then concede a penalty to piggyback Cronulla from their own end.
Cronulla might have their third try, checking the knock on.
26 min: TRY
Another crossfield kick from Carney.. Pomeroy leaps high and falcons it into a Parramatta player with Jason Bukuya picking up the scraps, for the Shark's third try. The flags are raised again for another successful conversion from Todd Carney.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18-6
32 min: Touch of luck there for Parramatta, Sio with a lazy play the ball and is luckily rewarded with a penalty.
VIDEO REFEREE: Cheyse Blair could have scored after some magical lead up work but we're going upstairs.
34 min: TRY
That was much needed for Parramatta. Jarryd Hayne with an amazing flick pass to Esi Tonag who plays catch and pass to Blair who goes in unopposed. Sandow from the sideline, converts.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18-12
36 min: Cronulla run it on last, with Graham getting space but he collides with Hayne who attempted a shoulder charge. It's knocked on by Parramatta. 30 metres out, Sharks scrum.
38 min: Cronulla earn a penalty for offside and try to spread it to the edges again, to Pomeroy but he's spilt it. A rare blemish in the half by Ben.
40 min: TRY Media Mantarays
Parramatta have earnt their second penalty of the game. Sandow on the resulting set, chips the bomb to a leaping Hayne who beats Carney in the air and scores. Sandow converts from near in front and we're locked up at halftime.
18 all
Back underway here, Cronulla will have the first possession.
42 min: Promising first set from Cronulla but Bukuya tries to be back and spills it.
44 min: Bukuya is through and is almost at the try line but he's roped in by Paulo. Parramatta are caught offside and it'll be a penalty Cronulla.
45 min: Another bombed chance by Cronulla, with the ball jarred loose in a tackle.
47 min: Carney pokes his nose through and can see the line but he's stopped dead by Ben Roberts.
49 min: Penalty! Bukuya juggled the ball and looked to have lost it, he's given a penalty though.
51 min: TRY
Lovely second man play from Cronulla, Jeremy Smith used as the decoy for Todd Carney to throw a lovely pass to Stewart Mills who scores in the corner. Carney with his toughest kick of the afternoon, misses his first one.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 22-18
54 min: Ill discipline has cost Parramatta this afternoon, this one was for offside and it's right in front of the posts. Cronulla opt for the penalty goal.
56 min: PENALTY GOAL
Carney has no trouble with the kick from in front and the lead is restored to six.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 24-18
60 min: Look at this, he's slammed him. No it wasn't Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant, Ben Pomeroy slammed a Parramatta player and forced the error.
61 min: Elementary error, my dear Morris. Let off for Parramatta here.
63 min: Ben Roberts does his best impression of an NFL quarterback there but thankfully Blair is held up over the tryline.
VIDEO REFEREE: Blair might have his second try of the afternoon, checking if he's gone out.
65 min: NO TRY! Blair tried his best to stay in but he was taken over by Jeremy Smith though it will be a penalty to Parramatta. Offside, Ben Pomeroy.
66 min: Early count grubber by Parramatta gives them a second set on the Shark's line. The roar from the crowd shows that Parramatta have dropped it from dummy half.
71 min: This is a blow for Parramatta, Chris Sandow has come from the field injured.
72 min: Great run from Matthew Wright who exploded downfield and almost went the whole way. Sharks don't go for the field goal, aiming for a grubber but Hayne gets back into the field of play plus earns a penalty.
74 min: Jarryd Hayne has gone kamikaze into John Williams, forcing him to spill it backwards for Colin Best to concede the drop out. Hayne has remained down, since the contact.
75 min: Knock on Cronulla. Parramatt are finishing with a wet sail can they convert this territory into points though?
76 min: Wright bats the ball down to kill an Eels attacking raid but more defense here for Cronulla.
76 min: Dear, oh dear. Parramatta have mucked it up, Moi Moi overran the ball and it was dived upon by Graham.
78 min: SIX MORE for Parramatta here, this surely will be their last chance.
79 min: Ben Roberts tries a cut out to his winger but he's only succeeded in throwing it to the guy in the front row. Cronulla will get away with this one.
80 min: Parramatta have to go the full 100 metres to win this, can they do it? No, they can't, it's intercepted by Wright and that is FULL TIME!