Sharks hold off 12 Dragons at Oki Jubilee

The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks have defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 20-16 at Oki Jubilee Oval this evening.

In a hard fought match between the fiercest of local rivals, no quarter was given by either side and this was highlighted by the sending off of Adam Peek, who elbowed Adam Dykes in the head and deserved to be sent from the field for what looked like a deliberate elbow from Peek.

The sending off galvanized the Dragons and they fought back from a 20-10 deficit to score and narrow the gap to four points and had a chance to hit the front late in the match through winger Chase Stanley who caught a cross field bomb but could not get the ball down in time to be awarded the try.

For the Sharks, Paul Gallen had an inspirational game in both attack and defence and was by far the best player on the field. He was well supported by Reece Williams and Adam Dykes and the win propels the Sharks up the ladder into fifth spot while the Drgaons continue to languish at the wrong end of the ladder but with the way the competition is at the moment, they are only two wins out of the top eight and there is plenty of time for them to make a run towards the finals.

The Dragons went down fighting and players including Ben Creagh, Jamie Soward, Simon Woolford and Jason Ryles all had good games on a losing side and whilst the loss hurts, the Dragons can atone against the Eels this weekend and get their season back on track.

Match Scorers:

Round 13 - Full Time :: June 11th, 2007 07:00 PM Venue: Oki Jubilee Stadium Referee: Tony Archer

St George Illawarra Dragons (16) Tries: Richard Williams, Ben Creagh, Ben Ellis Goals: Jamie Soward (2/3)

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (20) Tries: Mitch Brown, David Simmons, Luke Covell Goals: Luke Covell (4/4) LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Paul Gallen 2 Points: Jamie Soward 1 Point: Reece Williams

League Unlimited Live Commentary:

1 min: We are underway at Oki Jubilee!

3 min: Physical opening to the match with both sides coming up with some big hits.

4 min: Possible try to the Dragons...

4 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons Jamie Soward drops in a nice kick that rebounds off Ben Pomeroy and Richie Williams is there to fall on the ball and get the Dragons on the board early. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful. St George Illawarra Dragons 4-0

8 min: Sharks going nowhere at the moment through some good Dragons defence.

12 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons The Dragons are in again and the Sharks are shellshocked at the moment. Creagh scored adjacent to the posts after another Soward kick rebounds off a Sharks player and the Dragons are in again. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful. St George Illawarra Dragons 10-0

16 min: Dragons settling into a good rhythmn at the moment and the Sharks are yet to show much in the way of attack but a forward pass by St George Illawarra in their own half gives the Sharks a chance to get their first points of the night.

19 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks The Sharks are over out wide through Mitch Brown. A imple catch and pass movement down the short side caught the Dragons defence napping and the SHarks made it look easy. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. St George Illawarra Dragons 10-6

25 min: Dragons force a goal line drop out and thier short kicking game has been first class tonight, yielding two tries and a drop out.

29 min: Sharks come up with the ball inside the Dragons red zone and have a chance to take the lead after the game had been all Dragons so far.

29 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Amazingly, the Sharks are in the lead with Reece Williams unloading a great ball for David Simmons to cross and give the Sharks the lead for the first time in the match. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 12-10

32 min: Adam Dykes kicks out on the full going for a 40/20. Dragons on the attack now.

38 min: Sharks make a break but Dykes was far too slow to get to the line and the Sharks let a try go begging just before the stroke of half time.

41 min: We are underway in the second half!

44 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Luke Covell scores out wide off another Reece Williams pass that looked marginal at best but it's in the books now as a try to the Sharks. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18-10

48 min: Adam Peek has elbowed Adam Dykes and will be lucky to stay on the field after what looked to be a deliberate incident.

48 min: Adam Peek has been sent off for a late elbow to the head of Adam Dykes. Hard to question the decision after looking at the replay.

49 min: PENALTY GOAL Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Luke Covell extends the Sharks lead on the back of a penalty given to Cronulla after Adam Peek elbowed Adam Dykes in the head. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 20-10

51 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons Saints score through Ellis who made a simple run from dummy half and their is some spite creeping into the match now. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 20-16

62 min: Referee Tony Archer is hit by the ball but the Dragons will get the ball back and have a chance to get back in the lead. A great local derby unfolding.

64 min: Sharks knock on a last tackle kick by the Dragons and the Dragons will get another set of six on the Sharks line.

74 min: Possible try to the Dragons...

74 min: No try. Chase Stanley was held up out wide and could not get the ball down. Great defence from the Sharks.

78 min: Sharks still holding on and the Dragons are playing razzle dazzle footy but the Sharks defence is holding.

79 min: Dragons rake the ball but knock it on and with about a minute left, it will take a miracle to win from here.

80 min: The Sharks have held on against twelve men but they did it tough and the loss is one the Dragons simply could not afford. All credit to the Sharks and in particular Paul Gallen, who led from the front and inspired the Sharks to a hard fought victory.