Panthers v Broncos preview
112 mins ago | Rhys Sullivan
It was all one way traffic tonight at Shark Park as the Cowboys gave Cronulla a 36-10 lesson in rugby league. Played in good night time conditions, the Cowboys lead from the start and didn?t give the Sharks a look in, in their 6 tries to one demolition derby.
For the Cowboys, they dominated play with 38 out of 48 completions and good runs up the middle of the ruck, usually off quick play the balls and good service from Josh Hannay and Nathan Fein. Best overall performances came from Aaron Payne and Rahihi, with Morrison and Travis Norton getting through the defence.
For the Sharks, they were their own worst enemy. Making mistakes and taking many wrong options.
Most disappointing is their dependence on Brett Kimmorley and Darren Peachy, neither of whom are in any sort of form.
The only silver lining for Cronulla fans might come from the debut of Nigel Vagana who made a good break and offered some stability in a sea of mediocrity.
But indications are its going to be a long season for Stuart Raper and Shark fans.
Scorers: SHARKS 10 Tries: Simmons, Hilder Goals: Kimmorley 1/2 defeated by COWBOYS 36 Tries: Bowen 2, Morrison, Myles, Payne, Hannay Goals: Hannay 6/7
Referee: Tim Mander Toyota Park Half time score: Cowboys 20-4
By the clock: Good conditions at Shark Park. The reserves went to the Bears 24-20 coming back from 20 nil. Thai food has been delivered to the commentary box. Light beers to be served at half time.
All is set to go.
0 min: Ref Mander blows Time On.
3 mins: Cronulla prop Chris Beattie has been knocked out cold after a big hit to the head. Nothing dubious, but the little car has been called to take him off.
8 mins: TRY Cowboys - Glenn Morrison goes over the line for the Cowboys. A good try that went through 14 sets of hands as the ball went to the left side of the field. There is some discussion about it being a forward pass. Look at the scoreboard Sharks. Josh Hannay converts. Cowboys 6-0
12 mins: Try Cowboys - Morrison Bowen and Myles combine to get David Myles over the line. Sharks aren't getting much ball, but the Cowboys are making ground in the early days. John Hannay converts. Cowboys 12- Sharks 0.
18 mins: Penalty to the Cowboys. Hannay in front about 30 metres out and its a goal. Cowboys 14- Cronulla 0
NEWS - Hannay becomes first Cowboy to score 500 points.
NEWS Chris Beattie is OK but won't take any further part of the game.
20 mins: TRY - Sharks. Kimmorley puts up a precision bomb from near the sideline. Winger David Simmons jumps higher than Ty Williams and puts the ball down. Kimmorley misses the goal. Cowboys 14 - Sharks 4.
25 mins: TRY - Cowboys. Matt Bowen a good solo effort beating three players. Hannay boots the extras. Cowboys 20 -4
40 mins: Score is 20-4 in favour of the Cowboys after some scrappy play and some desperate defence from Cronulla.
HALF TIME
Cronulla must be causing a lot of stress for their coach. 9 completion and 9 turnovers in the first half illustrates they are their own worst enemy. 183 tackles made by the Sharks to only 103 by the Cowboys is the tale of the tape. If Cronulla don't come out as a more solid, cohesive unit, the score could get well beyond them
SECOND HALF
43 mins: TRY - Sharks. Matt Hilder is over for the Sharks. Kimmorley converts. Cowboys 20-Cronulla 10.
47 Mins: Try saving tackle by Nigel Vagana is considered too high and he is on report. Penalty to the Cowboys. They take the tap.
51 Mins: TRY - Cowboys. Rauhihi puts Payne in under the posts after a relentless assault on the Sharks line. Cowboys 26-10.
55 mins: Oh Uh! Kimmorley coat hangers Morrison. It's not as bad as it looks. No trip to the Judiciary. Hannay misses the penalty.
65 mins: Just when the Sharks start to get a rythm they spill posession. Too many mistakes.
68 mins: TRY - Cowboys. Josh Hannay goes in for the Cowboys off a grubber that went between the legs of David Simmons. Cowboys 30-10
71 mins: TRY - Cowboys. Aaron Payne up the guts to put Bowen under the posts. Hannay kicks the extras. 36 Cowboys, Sharkies 10.
78 mins: Nigel Vagana makes a break with only Bowen to beat but gets clobbered by a high shot.
Full Time. Cowboys too strong and showing good signs. For Stuart Raper and his team its back to the drawing boards. Losing Beattie so early didnt help, but the addition of Nigel Vagana will give their fans some glimmer of hope.
----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Payne (Cowboys) 2 - P Rauhihi (Cowboys) 1 - M Bowen (Cowboys) ----------------------------------------- Teams: Cowboys 1. MATT BOWEN 2. TY WILLIAMS 3. JOSH HANNAY 4. PAUL BOWMAN ? 5. MATT SING 6. TRAVIS NORTON 7. NATHAN FIEN 8. PAUL RAUHIHI 9. AARON PAYNE 10. JAMIE McDONALD 11. KEVIN CAMPION 12. LUKE O'DONNELL 13. GLENN MORRISON
Interchange 14. DAVID MYLES 15. MICHEAL LUCK 16. MITCHELL SARGENT 17. DANIEL STRICKLAND 18. -
Sharks 1. David Peachey 2. David Simmons 3. Nigel Vagana 4. Ryan McGoldrick 5. Matthew Rieck 6. Matt Hilder 7. Brett Kimmorley 8. Danny Nutley 9. Michael Sullivan 10. Chris Beattie 11. Matt Bickerstaff 12. Keith Galloway 13. Phil Bailey
Interchange 14. Jason Williams 15. Daniel Dumas 16. Sam Isemonger 17. Dean Bosnich 18. -