Sharks maul Raiders in form
turnaround

The Cronulla Sharks have returned to form with a comprehensive 38-24 victory over the Canberra Raiders at Toyota Park tonight.

It was a welcomed sight for local fans as a more committed Sharks forward pack over-powered the Raiders.

The Sharks held a handy half time lead of 24-12 before running away with it in the second half, with fullback David Peachey getting a double.

SHARKS 38 Tries: Peachey 2, McGoldrick, Gallen, Simmons, Rieck Goals: Kimmorley 7/8 defeated RAIDERS 24 Tries: Evans, Robertson, Mogg, Monaghan, McLinden Goals: Schifcofske 2/5

Toyota Park Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Tim Mander. Touch Judges: Luke Bugden, Allen Foster

By the clock: 0 min: The toss has been taken. Players getting ready to run on... Steamy evening at Shark Park. The home side will be running from north to south in the first half. Kickoff!

4 min: TRY - Sharks. Ryan McGoldrick falls on loose ball after Brett Kimmorley puts up a cross field kick. Follows Sharks raid down the left flank from half way. Wide conversion attempt from Kimmorley hits upright and si waved away. Sharks 4-0

8 min: TRY - Raiders. Jim Evans scores wide following backline movement. Conversion attempt Clinton Schifcofske unsuccessful. 4-all

10 min: PENALTY GOAL - Sharks. Kimmorley makes no mistake from almost in front. Sharks 6-4

13 min: NEWS - Attacking raid from Sharks comes unstuck when they kick dead. Posession fairly even early on but the Sharks playing with plenty of enthusiasm.

NEWS - Ryan McGoldrick (Sharks) forced from the field with an eye injury.

21 min: TRY - Raiders. Michael Robertson skirts down the short side to score in the left corner as the Sharks are found wanting out wide. Conversion attempt from Schifcofske unsuccessful. Raiders 8-6

26 min: TRY - Sharks. David Peachey scores in corner in front of a delighted grand stand. Set up by a fine run from Phil Bailey. Conversion from Kimmorley is a ripper. Sharks 12-8

29 min: TRY - Sharks. Peachey gets a double following a tremendous grubber kick from Michael Sullivan. Kimmorley conversion 10m in from touch is successful. Sharks 18-8

33 min: TRY - Raiders. Adam Mogg dives over in his right corner as Mark McLinden gets around the defence to set up the flank. Conversion Schifcofske unsuccessful. Sharks 18-12

38 min: TRY - Sharks. Paul Gallen forces his way over against a wall of defence. Follows another cheap turnover from the Raiders. Conversion Kimmorley from easy range all OK. Sharks 24-12

HALF TIME: A huge improvement from the Sharks who are given rousing cheers as they make their way to the sheds. The Raiders with all the work to do are looking rusty following their week off. Possession almost dead even but the Sharks are simply more committed.

Second half underway... Sharks running south to north.

41 min: NEWS - poor start to the second half from the Raiders as Brad Drew kicks out on the full for the second time in the match.

43 min: TRY - Sharks. David Simmons scores in the right corner after a great flick pass from Kimmorley. Conversion is a beauty and rubs salt into the Raiders' wounds. Sharks 30-12

50 min: NEWS - Ruben Wiki (Raiders) on report for a high tackle on Jason Stevens (Sharks). Wiki will be in a bit of strife for this. Sharks have come close to scoring a couple of time and the Raiders giving away penalties now.

52 min: PENALTY GOAL - Sharks. Kimmorley puts his side further ahead. Sharks 32-12

65 min: TRY - Raiders. Joel Monaghan scores near the posts after getting extra possession. Looking aimless but they manage to get across the line. Conversion Schifcofske is OK. Sharks 32-18

From the kickoff, Sharks find touch.

67 min: NEWS - James Evans (Raiders) being treated following a nasty gash to the forehead. Raiders temporarily reduced to 12 men.

76 min: TRY - Sharks. Matt Rieck scores 10m from the uprights following an 70m sprint from Brett Kimmorley who picked up a loose ball on his 10m. Conversion Kimmorley. Sharks 38-18

79 min: TRY - Raiders. McLinden scores a late try for the visitors under the posts following what looked like forward pass. Phil Bailey argues the toss with the referee but the try is on the board. Conversion Schifcofske. Sharks 38-24

FULL TIME: The Sharks have bounced back to notch up a much needed win. The Raiders were at best ordinary with only the back three of Schifcofske, Mogg and Robertson showing any real ticker. For the Sharks, every player showed their worth with Kimmorley, Peachey and Sullivan the pick of the backs while Stevens, Isemonger, Nutley and Bailey leading the way up the front.

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