Sharks dispose of
Warriors

Round 12
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 34 v New Zealand Warriors 20
at Toyota Park
Referees: Ben Cummins

Match Summary:
The Cronulla Sharks have defeated the New Zealand Warriors 34-20 at Toyota Park this evening to move within two points of the top four.

The Sharks held a commanding half 24-4 time lead through tries to Vagana, Bird, Albert and Bailey. The Warriors made far too many unforced errors but improved their second half performance but the deficit was simply too large to overcome.

There were some solid performers for the Sharks with Paul Gallen, Phil Bailey and Darren Albert impressive while for the Warriors Ruben Wiki. Wairangi Koopu and Sione Faumuina were the pick of the bunch with Simon Mannering also having a good game.

Brett Kimmorley had two passes intercepted for tries and his game has become very predictable and would be a huge worry for the Sharks when the play the top sides.

The Sharks have now won five of their last six games to emerge as a contender while the Warriors fell well short of the performance that saw them flog the Wests Tigers last weekend.

With the loss, the Warriors find themselves a long way off the pace and are sharing the bottom end of the NRL ladder with Souths and the Eels.

The Sharks have the bye next weekend so this was a vital win for the Sharks as they retain their place in the top eight.


Scorers:
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 34
Tries: Phil Bailey, Greg Bird, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Darren Albert(2)
Goals: Luke Covell 5/6
New Zealand Warriors: 20
Tries: Sione Faumuina, Wairangi Koopu(2), Simon Mannering
Goals: Tony Martin 2/4

By the Clock:
1 min: NEWS We are underway at Toyota Park!

1 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Nigel Vagana opens the scoring for the Sharks in the first minute.
Sharks 6-0

9 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Warriors hit back through a try to Simon Mannering.
Sharks 6-4

14 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks are looking to exert their dominance in this game with another try, this time to Greg Bird.
Sharks 12-4

20 min: NEWS The game is settling down a bit now after the frantic opening fifteen minutes.

26 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Darren Albert extends the Sharks lead and are starting to really put their foot on the accelerator now.
Sharks 18-4

38 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks are doing it in style now with Phil Bailey crossing just before half time to give the Sharks a comfortable half time lead.
Sharks 24-4

41 min: NEWS We are underway in the second half.

41 min: NEWS Warriors through the gap and spinning the ball at will but give away a penalty for offside.

44 min: NEWS Warriors starting to play better and make more yards both in the middle and out wide.

45 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Sharks score on the counter attack with the Warriors attacking the Sharks line, Faumuina drops the ball, Albert scoops it up and off he went for a 97 metre try. Too far for the Warriors to come back from this one.
Sharks 28-4

51 min: NEWS Warriors starting to unravel with some simple errors but the referee is doing them no favours.

54 min: NEWS Video ref looking at a possible try to Phil Bailkey from the Sharks.

55 min: NEWS No try to the Sharks. Bailey lost control of the ball.

60 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors score through Sione Faumuina but time is fast running out for the Warriors. They are playing much better than they were in the first half.
Sharks 28-10

62 min: NEWS Video ref adjudicating on a possible try to the Warriors Grant Rovelli.

62 min: NEWS No try. Penalty to Cronulla. Sharks player tackled in the air.

64 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Faumuina is making breaks left, right and centre and the Warriors finish off the movement with a try to Koopu.
Sharks 28-14

67 min: NEWS Warriors drop the ball and they are giving it their all but will probably run out of time unfortunately.

71 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks have put an exclamation point on the result with a try to David Simmons to wrap up the match with under ten minutes remaining.
Sharks 34-14

78 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Another intercept thrown by Kimmorley which makes two for tonight but full credit to the Warriors for playing for the full 80 minutes and never giving up.
Sharks 34-20
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Darren Albert (Sharks)
2 - Paul Gallen (Sharks)
1 - Wairangi Koopu (Warriors)
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