Sharks overpower Rabbitohs in high-scoring affair

Tonight the Cronulla Sharks have out-gunned the South Sydney Rabbitohs by 54 ? 34 in a free-flowing affair that has seen both teams rack up plenty of points. The Sharks eventually overcame a determined South?s outfit which fought hard but in the end couldn?t match the fire-power of a Cronulla team with nothing to lose.

This was always going to be an open game in which both teams could throw the ball around and have a go, but the Sharkies have walked away with the points and presumably have something to build towards next year with the acquisition of many established first-graders.

But for the Rabbitohs it nearly draws to a close one of their most disastrous seasons where they have been flogged recently and beaten all year-round by teams with more commitment and passion.

Leagueunlimited.com Player of the Year Awards

3 ? S. Isemonger (Sharks) 2 ? J. Anderson (Sharks) 1 ? J. Smith (Rabbitohs)

Saturday 30 August 2003 7:30 PM Aussie Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Stephen Clark Scorers: RABBITOHS Tries: Watts 2, Caine 2, MacDougall, Kativerata, Goals: Smith 5/6 SHARKS Tries: Isemonger 3,Bird 2, Nutley, Beattie, Anderson, Reick, Gallen Goals: Anderson 7/10

By the clock:

2 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Luke MacDougall goes in for the home team. Souths lead 4-0 over the Sharks with a kick to come.

3 min: Smith converts to extend the lead to 6-nil Rabbits over Sharks.

NEWS - Tight game, only a wooden spoon between these two teams.

13 min: TRY - Sharks. Danny Nutley scores for Cronulla to get them back in the match. Souths 6 Cronulla 4.

14 min: Jarrad Anderson pots the goal to level the scores at 6-all between the Rabbitohs and the Sharks.

16 min: TRY - Sharks. Chris Beattie pushes through a tight hole to score for the Cronulla team. Sharks 10 Rabbitohs 6.

17 min: Anderson sonverts again. Score Sharks lead Rabbitohs 12-6 early on in the match.

19 min: Justin Smith knocks over a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-8 Sharks over Rabbitohs.

21 min: TRY - Sharks. Greg Bird shimmeys over for a meat pie and Cronulla lead 16-8 with a kick to come.

22 min: Anderson keeps his perfect record intact and converts the try. Sharks 18 Rabbitohs 8.

24 min: TRY - Sharks. Cronulla beginning to dominate with Anderson joining the try-scoring ranks. Cronulla 22 Rabbitohs 8.

35 min: TRY - Cronulla. Big Sam Isemonger barges over for Cronulla. Sharks 26 Rabbitohs 8.

36 min: Anderson boots another for a 28-8 lead over the Bunnies.

HALF TIME

Sharks taking more possession, dominating the Rabbitohs and leading in the scoring. Cronulla dominating at this point and there looks to be no respite for the Bunnies.

44 min: TRY - Sharks. It didn't take long and Isemonger penetrates the Souths defence for his second tonight. Sharks 32 Rabbitohs 8.

45 min: Anderson misses. Score remains 32-8 in favour of the Cronulla Sharks.

48 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Brad Watts bags one for the home team. Sharks 32 Rabbitohs 12.

49 min: Smith converts. Sharks 32 Rabbitohs 14.

53 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Brad Watts scores his second. Sharks 32 Rabbitohs 18.

54 min: Smith misses and the scores remain 32-18 in favour of the Sharks.

61 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Wise Kativerata scores out wide for the Bunnies as they attempt a mini-revival. Sharks 32 Rabbitohs 22.

62 min: Smith converts and the Shark lead 32-24.

65 min: TRY - Sharks. Cronulla hit back straight away though Reick in the corner. Sharks 36 Rabbitohs 24.

66 min: Anderson misses and the score remains 36-24 in favour of the Sharkies.

68 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Jess Caine crosses the line for the red and greens. Sharks lead 36-28.

69 min: Smith puts the Bunnies within a converted try at 36-30 in favour of the Sharks.

72 min: TRY - Sharks. Gallen goes in to seal the victory. Sharks 40 Souths 30.

73 min: Anderson converts. 42-30 in favour of Cronulla.

76 min: TRY - Sharks. Isemonger unbelievaby goes in for his third. Sharks lead 46-30.

77 min: Anderson puts away another to extend the lead to 48-30.

78 min: TRY - Sharks. Carve up on our hands with Bird going in again. Sharks 52 Rabbitohs 30.

79 min: Anderson converts to make the scores 54-30 in favour of the Sharks.

80 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Jess Caine in again for a consolation try. Sharks 54 Rabbitohs 34.

80 min: Smith misses. Full time score Cronulla 54 South Sydney 34.