Sharks took a bite out of the Roosters finals hopes

Embed from Getty Images

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Roosters

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks won 31-18 against the Sydney Roosters in front of 11,846 fans at Shark Park on Friday night.

The Sharks were propelled forward by the stellar work from Blayke Brailey and halfback Nichol Hynes which saw them win five tries to three including a debut try for Chris Veaila on a cold night in the Shire. 

Sharks drew first blood in this important contest. Off a pair of six agains, fullback William Kennedy spied a small gap and burrowed over from close range to make it 6-0 for the hosts. 

The crackdown from the roll ball hurt the Sharks in this one. Sam Walker hoisted a kick high and it was the reliable Daniel Tupou who went highest and brought it the tri-colours within two. 

Errors and six agains were killing the Roosters early in this contest. Braydon Trindall provided the perfect short pass for Tieg Wilton to steam onto and stretch it out to 14-6. 

The Sharks were streaming upfield and dominating the ruck. Blayke Brailey opened them up with his run then found Nicho Hynes inside for his to stroll over for the four-pointer. 

Roosters weren't going down without a fight. They produced a brilliant counter-attack which ended with Walker finding James Tedesco inside for the custodian to bring the side within eight. 

They brought themselves back within two just after the break. Walker initiated the move on last then a kick from Chad Towsend found it's way to Angus Crichton who swerved over for 20-18. 

Sharks stemmed the tide and put themselves more than a converted try ahead again. It was a simple ball inside which interchange forward Billy Burns took and crawled over. 

The icing was put on the win with a moment for the debutant. Chris Veaila was given the ball with space and he got one over his opposite number and gets a four-pointer on debut. 

Trindall further put the exclamation point on a big two points for the Sharks. He drilled a field goal which put them ahead 31-18 and the hosts saw out the rest of the game without incident.