Sharks swim past the robust Roosters

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Roosters

Cronulla Sharks won a close encounter 22-12 over an ill-disciplined Sydney Roosters side on Friday night at Shark Park. 

The Sharks won a spiteful clash which saw three sin bins and a lot of penalties in the contest. Halfback Nicho Hynes who re-signed last week, led the way for his side which got them a valuable two points. 

It was a tough and close opening to the contest between two sides aiming for higher aspirations. Sharks held much of the early territory but found it tough to find much room through the middle. 

The first points of the night came from the tee. Nat Butcher was sin binned for the hip drop which has been the latest crackdown in the league. Nicho Hynes stepped up and kicked the Sharks ahead 2-0. 

Buoyed by that, Sharks also added the first four-pointer. Five-eighth Matt Moylan was on the spot to touch down after the earlier work from Hynes to make it an eight point difference. 

Roosters were ill disciplined to start, but they found their groove and their first whistle and got points. Luke Keary sent through a short pass to Egan Butcher who sliced through. 

Their second penalty also gave them the lead. Some smart work from Brandon Smith who spied the markers were slow to react, darted toward the line and got it down right on the whitewash for a 12-8 lead. 

Sharks finished the half with a glut of opportunities on the Roosters line. The six again signal was almost worn out from use but the Roosters defence held firm and took a four-point lead into the break. 

While they didn't convert before the break, Sharks were the first to score in the second half. Quick hands down the left wing sent Mulitalo away and the winger provided an airbourne finish to level things up. 

The game developed into a slog between two sides unwilling to give an inch. It took some sublime play on the right side between Hynes who sent Blayke Brayley away for the lead at 16-12. 

Roosters thought they might have edged again through Lindsay Collins. He took an NFL style hand off from Keary and tried to rustle to the line. He was judged to be short and Sharks repelled them. 

The lack of discipline from the visitors reared it's head again late. Smith was binned for a high tackle then Victor Radley took his usual seat on the sideline for a flop which meant they finished with 11. 

Sharks did extend their lead late through one of their brighter performers. Briton Nikora sped onto a ball from the quick play-the-ball which gave us the final score of 22-12.