Sharks down Raiders with
1st half onslaught

Round 10
Canberra Raiders 28 v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 38
at Canberra Stadium
Referee: Ben Cummins

Match Summary:
The Cronulla Sharks have withstood a second half comeback from the Canberra Raiders to run out 38-28 winners at Canberra Stadium today.

In a game of two halves, the Sharks dominated from the opening whistle to race away to a 16-0 lead after just 11 minutes. The Raiders struck back through an intercept to centre David Howell. But they were guilty of numerous missed tackles and errors. The Sharks extended their lead with a dummy half run to the line from backrower Paul Gallen in the 20th minute. They scored again through centre Phil Bailey and at half time the visitors were 24-6 in front.

The second half started with another try to the Sharks, Cameron Ciraldo crossing to post a 30-6 lead.

But the Raiders made a game of it, scoring the next three tries with fullback Clinton Schifcofske leading the way. At 30-22 and with 20 minutes to go, the Raiders looked to have the momentum to go on with it.

But a try to fullback David Simmons in the 68th minute put the Sharks back on track. A penalty goal four minutes later gave Cronulla a 38-22 lead and put match out of the home side's reach.

A try on the bell to Canberra winger Adam Mogg provided a full time score of 38-28, the Raiders ultimately unable to reel the Sharks in.

The win may have been costly for the Sharks with in-form forward Lance Thompson being forced off early in the first half with a hamstring injury. Cronulla were also without half back Adam Dykes who injured his ankle last week. Dykes replaced regular half back Brett Kimmorley who injured his ankle earlier this year. The half back spot was filled by Brett Kearney, the 22-year-old setting up numerous plays in steering the Sharks to victory.

Scorers:
Canberra Raiders: 28
Tries: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Howell, Adam Mogg, Clinton Schifcofske, Jason Smith
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 4/5
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 38
Tries: Phil Bailey, Paul Gallen, David Simmons(2), Nigel Vagana, Kevin Kingston, Cameron Ciraldo
Goals: Luke Covell 5/8

Crowd: 9,695
Halftime: Sharks 24-6

By the Clock:
Football on Mother's Day in Canberra. A high of 13?C and partly cloudy.
Kickoff!

3 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Kevin Kingston scores for the Sharks. Luke Covell converts.
Sharks 6-0

7 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
David Simmons scores out wide and extends the Sharks lead. Conversion attempt unsuccessful.
Sharks 10-0

10 min: NEWS Lance Thompson injured for the Sharks and is forced from the field.

11 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Nigel Vagana scores as the Sharks are slaughtering the Raiders. Conversion OK.
Sharks 16-0

18 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
David Howell gets the Raiders on the board. Clinton Schifcofske converts.
Sharks 16-6

20 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Paul Gallen scores for the visitors. Covell unsuccessful with conversion attempt.
Sharks 20-6

23 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Phil Bailey now scores for the Sharks as the rout continues. Covell misses conversion attempt.
Sharks 24-6

30 min: NEWS A break in the Sharks try-fest. Raiders way too soft in defence and missing a bucket load of tackles. As expected all stats favour the Sharks.

Half time: Sharks 24-6
Nothing short of a carve-up in the first half with the Sharks dominating the first 20 minutes, in particular back rower Paul Gallen is playing a blinder. The Raiders have shown some signs of a resurgence and had a try disallowed, but they really have the work to do if they are to come back.
At this stage the Sharks hold all the cards and should go on with it.

Second half underway...

43 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Cameron Ciraldo scores to put the Sharks further in front. Conversion attempt from Covell is successful.
Sharks 30-6

50 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Schifcofske for the Raiders but unsuccessful with conversion attempt. Raiders stepping up now.
Sharks 30-10

54 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs the try scorer as the Raiders come back. Schifcofske's conversion is OK.
Sharks 30-16

57 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Jason Smith scores, Schifcofske's conversion is good and its an eight point ball game. Plenty of time left.
Sharks 30-22

65 min: NEWS 15 minutes to go and both sides stepping up a gear now.

68 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Simmons gets a double and it may be enough to get the Sharks home. Conversion is OK.
Sharks 36-22

72 min: PENALTY GOAL Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Covell penalty goal.
Sharks 38-22

80 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Adam Mogg scores a late try for the Raiders but its all over. Schifcofske's conversion is OK.
Sharks 38-28

Full time: Sharks 38-28
A game of two halves with missed tackles, dropped balls and lack of possession costly to the Raiders in the first half. The Sharks capitalised on this with halfback Brett Kearney directing traffic in fine fashion and back rower Paul Gallen providing plenty of go forward in the absence of Lance Thompson who was forced off with injury after 10 minutes.
The Raiders came back and actually won the second half, Clint Schifcofske and Adam Mogg playing well. The momentum seemed to be going their way, but a second try to Sharks fullback David Simmonds snuffed out the Raiders charge.
In the end, it was a great first half from the Sharks which won the day, and too much of a head start for the Raiders to reel in.
-----------------------------------------
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Paul Gallen (Sharks)
2 - Brett Kearney (Sharks)
1 - David Simmons (Sharks)
-----------------------------------------