Sharks open 2005 with a gritty win

Fulltime score: Round 1 Sharks 20 v Panthers 14

Match summary: The Cronulla Sharks have recorded a tough 20-14 victory over the Penrith Panthers at Toyota Park this evening.

In front of a crowd of more than 19,000, the Sharks stuck to their guns in a game riddled with handling errors from both teams but the Sharks with the better of possession and a sharp shooting goal kicker in Luke Covell, managed to come away with a six point victory and an all important two premiership points.

With Andrew Ettingshuasen the new defensive coach, the Sharks had a steely resolve in their defence as the Panthers stumbled their way through the match making far too many unforced errors to ever be a realistic threat of winning the game.

As expected, neither side was at their best being the first round of the premiership but if the Sharks continue to show the same defensive mongrel they showed tonight, they will return Toyota Park to the graveyard it used to be.

The Panthers will have to go back to the drawing board as many of the Panthers forwards looked well below match fitness and it showed late in the game with Joel Clinton and Ben Ross off the field in the crucial final ten minutes of the match when extra time was till a realistic scenario.

Well done to the Sharks who look to be a much more disciplined side than what we have become accustomed to but it?s still far too early in the season to assess the fortunes of both teams.

Score details: SHARKS 20 Tries: Maiava, Vagana, Isemonger Goals: Covell 4/4 defeated PANTHERS 14 Tries: Wesser, Priddis Goals: Campbell 3/3

Toyota Park Referee: Jason Robinson

By the clock: 1st min: Kickoff! A healthy crowd is on hand at Toyota park to watch the Sharks take on the Panthers in game three of the opening round of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

7th min: PENALTY GOAL - Panthers. Preston Campbell gets the Panthers season off to a good start with an early two pointer. Panthers 2-0.

16th min: TRY - Sharks. Hutch Maiava scores a great try after some sustained pressure on the Panthers line. Conversion successful. Sharks 6-2.

23rd min: TRY - Panthers. Rhys Wesser slices through the Sharks defence to score an excellent 40 metre try out wide. Conversion successful. Panthers 8-6.

30th min: Keith Galloway is placed on report after a nasty spear tackle on Panthers hooker Luke Priddis. Still no change in the score but Shayne Hayne has replaced Jason Robinson as the referee for the time being.

HALF TIME: The Panthers hold a slender two point lead in a very spirited contest with both sides leaving nothing in reserve in the opening forty. As you would expect, the game has been a little rusty but the cobwebs should be a thing of the past once the second half resumes.

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

47th min: TRY - Sharks. Nigel Vagana crosses under the black dot after the Shrks finish off s sweeping movement in style. Conversion successful. Sharks 12-8.

52nd min: TRY - Sharks. Sam Isemonger scores off a beautifully timed Adam Dykes pass to put the Sharks in a commanding position approaching the halfway point of the second half. Conversion successful. Sharks 18-8.

56th min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Priddis scores in his 200th first grade game with a simple run from dummy half right on the Sharks line. Very soft try for Cronulla to concede. Conversion successful. Sharks 18-14.

62nd min: PENALTY GOAL - Sharks. Luke Covell extends the Sharks lead to a converted try with just under a quarter of the match remaining. Sharks 20-14.

FULL TIME: Cronulla open the season with a hard fought win on the back of a strong defensive display while the Panthers were extremely disappointing with far too many unforced errors.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - H Maiava (Sharks) 2 - M Sullivan (Sharks) 1 - A Dykes (Sharks) -----------------------------------------