Sharks hammer Cowboys

Fulltime score: Round 5 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 38 v North Queensland Cowboys 6

Match summary: Cronulla hammered a pedestrian Cowboys side 38-6 in their National Rugby League match at Toyota Park tonight.

The Cowboys had all the early ascendency as they piled on set after set on the Sharks line, but were only rewarded with a Carl Webb try from close to the line on 16 minutes. Eight minutes later the Sharks finally managed to get the ball in good field position and scored through Phil Bailey after Kimmorley dummied past the line and offloaded to Bailey. Three minutes later Luke Covell scored under the posts as Matts Bowen and Sing watched the ball bounce in between then before Covell pounced on the ball from nowhere and scrambled under the uprights.

The Cowboys lost Ty Williams to a medial ligament injury on the half hour mark, and the Sharks took advantage of Rod Jensen changing positions to score a try through David Simmons moments before half time, as Kimmorley dummied through the defence and ran around behind players before putting in a picture-perfect grubber to Simmons who was part of a two on one overlap.

Josh Hannay was put on report for a spear tackle on Luke Covell in the 53rd minute. Eleven minutes later David Peachey shot through a tiring Cowboys defence and appeared to put the ball down on the dead ball line, but referee Tim Mander awarded the try on the spot. Three minutes later the Sharks broke away down the right hand side and Luke Covell got a dodgy pass to Dykes who took forever to put the ball down in the in goal, but it was awarded by the video referee Steve Carrall.

David Simmons collected his first career double thanks to quick hands from Vagana in the 72nd minute. In the final minutes, Kimmorley turned the ball back on the inside to Paul Gallen who ran 20 metres to score, sailing past Matt Bowen who did not have a particularly good game.

Score details: SHARKS 38 Tries: Simmons 2, Bailey, Covell, Peachey, Dykes, Gallen Goals: Covell 5/7 COWBOYS 6 Tries: Webb Goals: Hannay 1/1 Half time: Sharks 14-6

Toyota Park Crowd: 17,323 Referee: Tim Mander

By the clock:

0 min: Kickoff at a full, vocal Toyota Park. Conditions are fine, little to no wind.

5 min: NEWS - Cowboys have had the early chances, and didn't complete. Both teams just getting warmed up. Cowboys with the better of field position.

12 min: NEWS - Sharks holding strong on their line. Both teams making errors with good opportunities.

16 min: TRY - Cowboys Carl Webb barges over from 5 metres out, following at least 4 repeat sets on attack. Hannay kicks the conversion from 10 in from touch. 6-0 Cowboys

20 min: NEWS - Sharks make their first visit to the Cowboys 20, Bowen holds Mellor player up in the ingoal. Cowboys hold the set out.

24 min: TRY - Sharks Kimmorley dummies past the defence before offloading to Phil Bailey. Covell hits the uprights. 6-4 Cowboys.

27 min: TRY - Sharks Covell benefits from a freak bounce between Bowen and Sing, runs 10 metres and scores under the posts. Converts his own try. 10-6 Sharks.

33 min: NEWS - Ty Williams comes off injured. It appears to be leg or ankle related.

38 min: NEWS - Possession and territory swinging slowly towards the Sharks as they force a drop out.

39 min: TRY - Sharks Kimmorley grubbers along to a wide open David Simmons. Video referee Steve Carrall awards the try. Covell misses wildly from touch. 14-6 Sharks.

HALF TIME - The Sharks weathered the early attack from the Cowboys, who had 65% possession and 75% territory at one stage. They take a deseved 8 point lead into the break.

40 min: The teams have had the half time talking to's, and we kick off the second half. Cowboys with the wind at their backs.

46 min: NEWS - Ty Williams out for the rest of the game with Medial (Knee) Ligament damage.

47 min: NEWS - Cowboys bomb a try as Bowen returns a chip kick 95 metres, and he gets pulled down by Simmons. Play the ball slowly, and Myles gets held up. The Cowboys lose the ball on the next tackle. However, Dykes knocks on from the scrum base.

52 min: NEWS - Both teams making very frustrating mistakes.

53 min: Hannay is put on report for a spear on Covell.

59 min: Vagana forced into touch on tackle 1 from a scrum inside the Cowboys 10. Touch judge drops his flag. Both teams squandering good chances.

64 min: TRY - Sharks Peachey slices through like a hot knife through butter and scores under the posts. Covell converts. Replays suggest Peachey put the ball down on the dead ball line. 20-6 Sharks.

67 min: TRY - Sharks Sharks bust down the left hand side, ball comes inside to Dykes from Covell and he scores, Try awarded by video referee. Covell converts from 15 in from touch. 26-6 Sharks.

70 min: NEWS - With 10 minutes to go, Cowboys have nothing in attack, losing the ball close to the line time and time again.

72 min: TRY - Sharks Quick hands see Simmons get a double over in the right corner. Covell converts from touch. 32-6 Sharks.

76 min: NEWS - Game somehow getting sloppier as the clock runs down.

79 min: TRY - Sharks Gallen breaks up the middle off a great inside ball. He runs away from Matt Bowen and scores near the touchline. Covell converts. 38-6 Sharks.

FULL TIME - Cronulla smash a pedestrian Cowboys, 38-6 with a strong defensive showing.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Kimmorley (Sharks) 2 - D Peachey (Sharks) 1 - L Covell (Sharks) -----------------------------------------