No Luck for Cronulla as the Broncos Masterclass Shines

Brisbane Broncos have defeated the woeful and unlucky Cronulla Sharks 46-16 at Suncorp Stadium  in a match that showed off the masterclass of Darren Lockyer.

Many didn't give the Sharks much hope without the services of Paul Gallen, and the result was a hiding on the scoreboard. Broncos' centre Justin Hodges was on fire with a hat trick of tries as Brisbane moved into 3rd place ahead of the Dragons' clash on Sunday.

It was a dominant first half from the home side, keeping the score in time with the clock to the point where it was 34-0 after 35 minutes. The domination was tempered by a late first half try to Chad Townsend.

The Sharks worked hard to reduce the damage in the second half following a spray at halftime from coach Shane Flanagan, ultimately leading to only losing the second half by 12 points to 10, however the 34 points the Broncos piled on in the first forty could not be forgotten as Darren Lockyer's side continued to flex their premiership muscle.

With their finals aspirations now on the skids, the Sharks head home to host the also struggling Titans, while the Broncos shape up against the Warriors next Saturday night, again at Suncorp Stadium.

Match Details
Brisbane Broncos 46 defeated Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 16
National Rugby League - Round 21 - Friday July 29, 2011 7:30pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Jared Maxwell and Gavin Morris
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: David Abood and Chris Butler
Crowd: 24,164
Halftime: Brisbane Broncos Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

BRISBANE BRONCOS (46)
Tries: Justin Hodges (3), Matt Gillett, Peter Wallace, Jharal Yow Yeh, Ben Hannant, Jack Reed
Conversions: Corey Parker (6/7), Peter Wallace (1/1)

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Jeremy Smith, Matthew Wright, Chad Townsend
Conversions: Nathan Stapleton (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Suncorp Stadium for tonights clash between Brisbane and Cronulla.
Changes: Brisbane are 1-17. Cronulla, Tautai to bench, frizzel to start and debut.
1 min: We are underway.
6 min: TRY
Brisbane are first on the board, through Ben Hannant. Conversion successful.
Brisbane Broncos 6-0
10 min: TRY
Reed has scored! Parker missed.
Brisbane Broncos 10-0
15 min: TRY
Hodges has his first try. Parker converts.
Brisbane Broncos 16-0
20 min: TRY
Like clockwork, the Broncos go in again. Hodges spins, flips, dives and slams it down. Good effort through a bit of defence from the Sharks. Parker hits it superbly, it swings back in.
Brisbane Broncos 22-0
23 min: Broncos had a set of six and didn't cross the line. Penalty to the Sharks and they are going to get a chance to mount some sort of attack.
27 min: TRY
TRY! Jharal Yow Yeh scores. Sharks not up to the contest tonight, terrible defence. He bamboozled them by picking it up out of dummy half from 10 metres out and crashing over. Parker converts and Brisbane lead 28-0.
Brisbane Broncos 28-0
32 min: Broncos just slowing up here at the moment, as in they haven't scored in the past five minutes. Sharks are out on their feet and Broncos running over the top.
34 min: TRY
Matt Gillett strolls over for more Broncos Brillance.
Brisbane Broncos 34-0
38 min: Penalty to the Sharks right in front. They kick for touch, not opting with a shot at goal.
39 min: TRY
The decision not to take the penalty goal was the right one. The Sharks score! Chad Townsend chases a grubber and gets it down just before it rolls into touch. Wade Graham put in the kick.
Brisbane Broncos 34-6
HALFTIME: No Paul Gallen for the Sharks has definitely hurt their chances.The Brisbane Broncos lead 34-6 at the break. It's been a combination of masterclass skills and errors from the Sharks. Almost a point at minute for the Broncos. We'll see if they can keep up the heat in the second half.
43 min: TRY
Matthew Wright and they had Brisbane soft in wide defence.
Brisbane Broncos 34-12
62 min: TRY
Darren Lockyer slices straight through the line without any support however dummies and then kicks ahead for Justin Hodges to cross for his third. From the try Lockyer goes off for an early rest.
Brisbane Broncos 40-12
72 min: TRY
Peter Wallace crosses and Video Referee Awarded the try. Wallace converts his own try, as Parker was getting a rest for the broncos.
Brisbane Broncos 46-12
80 min: TRY
On fulltime, Jeremy Smith crosses to a late one for the Sharks. Nathan Stapleton converts.
Brisbane Broncos 46-16