Sharks smash rudderless Raiders

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Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Cronulla Sharks won 40-0 against Canberra Raiders in their game down at Canberra Stadium to round off ANZAC Round in the National Rugby League competition. 

The Sharks remain at the top of the NRL ladder after their dominant win over a rudderless Raiders line-up. They were marshalled around the park well by Nicho Hynes who had a personal tally of 16 points in the display.

Sharks were on from the opening whistle. Nicho Hynes created the movement on the left, which saw the Sharks offload at will until it ended with Cameron McInnes who strolled over for 6-0. 

Next, it was a simple effort from big Tom Hazleton. It was a pass inside which saw the rampaging forward brush off a few feeble attempts from the Raiders to double their delight. 

Raiders did have a few chances to get themselves in the contest. Xavier Savage made a break down the left but his pass to Danny Levi went to ground which let them off the hook. 

Sharks made them pay instantly. It was a simple backline movement from the Sharks which ended with Sione Katoa strolling over then Hynes kicked a third goal to make it 18-0. 
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The hosts had the opportunity to get on the board before the break. They set up down the Sharks end but again, simple errors turned the ball over against a dogged Sharks defence. 

Coming out of the break, Sharks felt just fine. Hynes laid another on a plate, this time for forward Briton Nikora who walked over for his first four-pointer of the season for 24-0. 

Hynes did it all himself to get the Sharks past 30. He bamboozled Chevy Stewart for a 40/20 then sliced through the tired Raiders defence to take his tally to 14 for the day.

It was all Sharks as they swarmed on the ball. Hynes snaffled an intercept which had them on the back foot which allowed them to spread it to the right and hand Katoa his second. 

Sharks rounded out the dominant win with their seventh try of the afternoon. Kayal Iro started the move which ended with Jesse Ramien who slammed the ball down and a 40-0 win.