Eels continue Sharks
streak of losses

Round 23
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 14 v Parramatta Eels 34
at Toyota Park
Referee: Tony Archer

Match Summary:
The Eels have continued the woes of the Cronulla Sharks in the back end of season 2006. Leading 12-8 at halftime, the home side was run down by Parramatta, losing by 34 points to 14 at Toyota Park.

The Sharks started the game off well before going back to their old selves by letting in hooker Mark Riddell for a soft try from dummy half in the 17th minute.

The Sharks hit back well with a good try to former Panther Ben Pomeroy, before David Simmons latched on to a Brett Kimmorley kick following a Luke Burt penalty goal, taking the scoreline out to 12-8 at the break.

The Eels must have put something in their Gatorades at halftime as they came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half. Jarryd Hayne scored just two minutes in to the second half as backrower Nathan Hindmarsh somehow got a freakish offload away on tackle five that eventually found its way to Hayne to score in the corner.

The Sharks edged back in front through a long range penalty goal to winger Luke Covell. However that was their last points for the night as the Eels ran in a further four tries to oust the Sharks out of the top eight for the time being.

The Eels now sit in fourth position although wins to the Broncos and Dragons tomorrow could put them back down to sixth position.

Parramatta have won eight games straight while the Sharks have seven in a row on the negative side of the equation.

Scorers:
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 14
Tries: David Simmons, Ben Pomeroy
Goals: Luke Covell 3/3
Parramatta Eels: 34
Tries: Luke Burt(2), Wade McKinnon, Glenn Morrison, Mark Riddell, Jarryd Hayne
Goals: Luke Burt 5/7

By the Clock:
Both the Sharks and the Eels are as per the program for this vital clash for the all important top eight.The Sharks have lost six straight while the Eels haven't lost a match since round 14 at home to the Storm.

Conditions are perfect for rugby league not a cloud in the sky all day.

Not a bad crowd in, could have been expecting more though.

Tony Archer is your referee,both teams are out on the paddock with the fireworks smoke covering the field.

Kickoff!

4 min: The Sharks go down field from a penalty but Villasanti drops the ball cold on tackle two.

7 min: A crossfield grubber from Adam Dykes finds Covell right in the corner but trying to knock the ball backwards before going out,he knocks on as Pomeroy grounds the ball for a disallowed try.

12 min: A swift backline movement from the Sharks finds Pomeroy five metres out from the line with Covell on his outside but he knocks on.

17 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Mark Riddell scores from dummy half through some poor marker defence on the back of some good field position for the Eels.
Burt from the sideline slots the kick superbly.
Eels 6-0

22 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
A long pass by Kingston is taped on beautifally by Covell on to Pomeroy who steps past Hayne then gets around Burt easily to score past some ordinary defence.
Covell converts.
6 all.

28 min: PENALTY GOAL Parramatta Eels
A penalty in the play the ball against the Sharks gifts Luke Burt with two points.
Eels 8-6

35 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Welcome back from injury David Simmons!A great crossfield kick from Kimmorley to the corner and a race to the ball between Burt and Simmons and wouldn't Houdini love that,Simmons came out of the clouds and snatched the ball out of Burt's grasp.
Covell converts.
Sharks 12-8

37 min: The Eels attack the line but the inside ball goes to ground and the Sharks have it.Now they are 20 out from the Eels line on tackle two.

38 min: A line dropout to the Sharks and the Eels go for a short grubber to restart and it is dived on by Hindmarsh!

Halftime - An even game so far which has seen end to end football.David Simmons won't be back for the Sharks after dislocating his shoulder when scoring the Sharks' second try.

Second half underway!

42 min: Checking for an Eels try...

43 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Yet another try for Jarryd Hayne as Nathan Hindmarsh dives for the line on tackle 5,somehow with five men on him gets an offload away that looks to be fumbled by Luke Burt before he grubbers for Hayne who scores in the corner.
Burt can't convert.
12 all.

49 min: PENALTY GOAL Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
From 35 odd metres out,Covell lands two points from an offside penalty to put the Sharks back in front.
Sharks 14-12

53 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The Eels are back in front after a great offload by Cordoba who finds McKinnon on half way who runs around Vagana who has come on as a fullback to score in the corner.
Burt converts from the sideline off the upright.
Eels 18-14

64 min: Checking for an Eels try...

65 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Luke Burt bags another try for the season as a kick down field is taken by Kearney who in a tackle in goal by Burt, knocks on and Burt dives on it to score.
Burt can't convert his own try.
Eels 22-14

67 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Another loss for the Sharks coming up as Burt scores his second try in as many matches as a short chip over the top is taken superbly by Burt who goes around Vagana to score out wide.
Burt converts.

Eels 28-14

74 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The Sharks have capitulated as a long ball from Jeremy Smith with numbers on his outside finds Glenn Morrison who scores outwide to rub salt in to the wounds of the Sharks.
Burt converts as the Sharks fans head for the exit signs.
Eels 34-14

78 min: Jeremy Smith goes on a 70m run down field before being tackled ten out from the goal line.From dummy half Luke Burt kicks cross field for an unmarked Hayne but it goes over his head.

Fulltime - The Eels continue the Sharks' woes in the backend of 2006.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Luke Burt
2 - Nathan Hindmarsh
1 - Paul Gallen
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