Sloppy Sharks succumb to Knights

A fickle game at Toyota Park saw the Newcastle Knights defeat the Cronulla Sharks 18 nil in an error riddled affair to make Cronulla's fight for a top 8 spot just a little more complicated.

The first half was a very low scoring affair where Cronulla dominated all facets of play, with the exception of scoring. Cronulla had plenty of opportunities but could not produce a play to put any points on.  The Newcastle defence dud well to hold the Sharks out and were helped by inept attack and ill discipline.

The only points of the first half came courtesy of some of Cronulla's ill discipline when, the Sharks conceded a penalty in the 13th minute, which Newcastle opted for the two from, Gidley booted them over.  Newcastle looked to have crossed for the game's first try through Stapleton, but he was denied by video referee Chris Ward to help Newcastle hang on to their 2-0 lead which they took into the interval.

The second half was dominated by errors and Newcastle managed to capitalise helping themselves to field position and the opportunities they needed to put points on.  Newcastle scored the game's only 2 tries in quick succession through Uate in the 53rd minute and Hilder in the 54th. Gidley had a perfect night with the boot slotting the conversions easily.

The bulk of the points at the end of the night came from Gidley's boot, slotting a further two penalty goals, to claim ten of Newcastle's 18 points.  The end of the half could not come sooner for the Sharks who had a woeful second 40, completing very few sets and conceding several penalties to help Newcastle to their 18 nil victory.

Match Details
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 0 were defeated by Newcastle Knights 18
National Rugby League - Round 20 - Saturday July 23, 2011 7:30pm
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger and Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Chris Ward
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 6,513
Halftime: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 0 Newcastle Knights 2

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Kurt Gidley (2 Conversions, 3 Penalty Goals)
2 Points - Joel Edwards
1 Point - Luke Douglas

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS (0)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (18)
Tries: Matt Hilder, Akuila Uate
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Kurt Gidley (3/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good Evening and Welcome to Toyota Park for League Unlimited's live coverage of this Round 20 match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights. Both sides are fighting here to keep in touch with the top 8. In the Toyota Cup curtain raiser, Cronulla 38 defeated Newcastle 10. TEAM NEWS: Paul Gallen is out for the SHARKS, Tautai will take his place in the run on side and Johnny Mannah come onto the bench.
Zane Tetevano makes his debut for KNIGHTS off the bench, with Costigan and Tolar out, Ciraldo will start in the back row and Marvin Karawana in jumper 19 is also added to the Knights' bench.
1 min: Kurt Gidley kicks the game into play.
1 min: PENALTY to the Sharks, who will be helped into attacking range.
4 min: Cronulla are handed more ball in good attacking range.
5 min: And Cronulla turn it over cheaply, with Kurt Gidley collecting a ball that was flopped out the back.
6 min: PENALTY to Cronulla, against Lulia for a high shot, this should be some more attacking football for the Sharks.
7 min: Gidley with great hands cleans up for Cronulla who have had their goal line under a lot of pressure early, which will continue after a goal line drop out.
9 min: Ball lost forward by Uate 20 out from his own line, to invite Cronulla onto the attack.
10 min: Tautai throws a forward pass and Newcastle make a break before being stopped by a desperate tackle.
11 min: PENALTY to the Knights to help them right on the attack.
13 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY to the Knights and they opt to take the 2, Kurt Gidley nails the penalty goal to give them the first posints of the match.
Newcastle Knights 2-0
14 min: PENALTY to the Knights against Graham for a steal.
16 min: Knights fail to apply pressure and Cronulla find themselves in attack.
18 min: PENALTY to the Sharks, against Edwards for holding down in the play the ball.
18 min: Scrum PENALTY against the Knights as Cronulla are right on the attack.
20 min: Another PENALTY to the Sharks, this right in front.
22 min: Nathan Stapleton drops the ball over the line and Knights get their first touch of the ball in several minutes.
25 min: PENALTY to the Sharks, who have had plenty of attacking opportunities this half for no results.
28 min: Kurt Gidley knocks on a boot 20 out from the Newcastle line, and Sharks are invited onto the attack.
29 min: VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Cronulla TRY.
29 min: NO TRY, tough call to deny Stapleton a TRY.
33 min: Sharks not offering enough in attack and are not helped by their failure to complete sets.
35 min: PENALTY to the Sharks in great attacking position.
36 min: PENALTY to the Sharks, to give them more time in attack.
37 min: Peculiar last tackle play and Tagatese turns the ball over on the last.
39 min: Knights are looking sharper with ball in hand than the Sharks, but Cronulla have all the field position.
40 min: Ben Pomeroy with an error on the last turns the ball over 20 out from the Newcastle line.
40 min: The half time hooter takes us to half time with Knights ahead 2-0.
41 min: Second half under way.
44 min: Both sides completing their sets to start the second forty.
46 min: Kade Snowden with a terrible dropped ball, hands Newcastle a great attacking opportunity 20 out from the Cronulla line.
46 min: Keith Lulia returns the ball with a poor offload attempt.
48 min: Repeat set to the Sharks after Nathan Gardner forces a line drop out with a short kick which is cleaned up by Akuila Uate.
50 min: First tackle error from Sau to hand the ball over 20 out from his own line.
53 min: TRY
TRY to the Knights. Akuila Uate collects the first try of the night with the help of Lulia and, Gidley converts with a beautiful shot at goal.
Newcastle Knights 8-0
54 min: PENALTY to the Knights to offer them another opportunity.
57 min: TRY
TRY to the Knights! A nice pass from Gidley puts Hilder in to score. Gidley's boot adds the extras.
Newcastle Knights 14-0
59 min: A Newcastle error offers Cronulla an opportunity to hit back.
61 min: Pomeroy concedes a PENALTY in attack.
63 min: PENALTY to the Knights, 20 out from the Cronulla line.
64 min: PENALTY GOAL
Gidley takes the 2 and collects them.
Newcastle Knights 16-0
66 min: Sharks give away some more good field position.
69 min: Sharks add to their error count to turn the ball over early in the count.
70 min: Knights earn a repeat set courtesy of Gidley forcing a goal line drop out.
72 min: PENALTY to the Knights for a dangerous throw 25 out from the Cronulla line.
73 min: PENALTY GOAL
Knights opt for the two and again Gidley collects them.
Newcastle Knights 18-0
75 min: PENALTY to the Sharks for a steal, could be an opportunity for some consolation points.
76 min: First tackle error from Graham as the Sharks continue to struggle to do anything right in this second half.
78 min: Yet another error from the Sharks ...
79 min: De Gois earns a repeat set for the Knights by forcing a goal line drop out with his boot.
80 min: Knights concede the final error of the night.
80 min: That takes us to full time with Knights keeping Cronulla scoreless, taking the game 18-0.
80 min: That takes us to full time with Knights keeping Cronulla scoreless, taking the game 18-0.