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VB NSW Cup rd #8 - review: Auckland Vulcans vs Cronulla Sharks
By Jason Hosken at Henson Park
A depleted Cronulla Sharks extended their undefeated streak to eight when they steamrolled the Auckland Vulcans 48-10 at Henson Park last Saturday.
...
Cronulla entered the clash with six changes to the named earlier in the week including the loss of key playmaker Brett Finch and speedy fullback Nathan Gardner whilst the Vulcans looked stronger with the addition of wrecking-ball centre Konrad Hurrell.
Hurrell made the most of his first touch in the third minute when he smashed through the Sharks defence from close range to score in the right corner. Half-back Harry Siejka converted from touch and the Vulcans were away 6-0.
Auckland held their own in the early forward exchanges with prop Charlie Gubb leading the charge but it was the Sharks who capitalised next on good field position. Lock Tyrone Peachey latched on to a well-directed grubber by five-eighth Penani Manumalealii to touchdown next to the posts in the 16th minute and half-back Chad Townsend’s simple conversion levelled the scores at 6 all.
The Sharks were soon punching holes in the Vulcans tiering defence before Peachey drifted across field from 10 metres out and put second-rower Tupou Sopoaga through a gaping hole to score in the 27th minute and a 12-6 lead.
Cronulla found themselves attacking the Vulcans’ line again in the 35th minute and fullback Tony Gigot put on some tidy footwork before turning the ball back inside to replacement hooker Pat Politoni to score an easy try under the posts. Townsend’s conversion extended Cronulla’s lead to 18-6 and it remained that way when the players headed off at halftime.
An unfortunate error by Auckland fullback Glen Fisiiahi after the resumption finished with Politoni scoring his second try when he pounced on a fumbled grubber kick in the 43rd minute. Townsend kicked straight again and it was all Cronulla at 24-6 and looking in the mood to add several more.
Peachey crossed for his second try of the match in the 52nd minute and eleventh of the season after good lead up work down the left wing to extend Cronulla’s lead to 30-6. The Vulcans had no answers to the Sharks superior energy and pace through the middle and were constantly back-peddling down the edges.
The hungry Sharks continued to cash-in and extended the lead to 48-6 with another three tries between the 60th and 69th minutes to Townsend, Gigot and centre Matthew Wright. Townsend continued his perfect day with the boot converting all three tries making it eight from eight and a personal tally of 20 points for the match.
Cronulla finished in front 48-10 after the Vulcans scored a consolation try to Siejka in the final four minutes of play.
A continuation of the Sharks winning streak will be tested by a busy schedule including a mid-week match followed by next weekend’s match out west against Windsor whilst he Vulcans can look forward to a home game next week against last placed Wyong in the nation’s capital of Wellington.
Auckland Vulcans 10 (Hurrell, Siejka, tries: Siejka 1 goal)
Cronulla Sharks 48 (Politoni 2, Peachey 2, Gigot, Sopoaga, Townsend, Wright, tries; Townsend 8 goals)
Half Time 18-6 Sharks
Other Results:
Newcastle Knights 26 vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 18
Manly Sea Eagles 14 vs Wentworthville Magpies 38
Newtown Jets 20 vs Illawarra Cutters 28
Mounties 44 vs Wyong Roos 24
North Sydney Bears 12 vs Wests Tigers 16
Windsor Wolves Bye
Note:
Results of ‘catch up’ games:
Newtown Jets vs Newcastle Knights
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 18 vs Wyong Roos 22
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks
Wests Tigers vs Illawarra Cutters
Next Game:
Round # 9
Saturday 11th May vs Wyong Roos
Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 3:10pm (Triple header)
Televised live on SKY
By Jason Hosken at Henson Park
A depleted Cronulla Sharks extended their undefeated streak to eight when they steamrolled the Auckland Vulcans 48-10 at Henson Park last Saturday.
...
Cronulla entered the clash with six changes to the named earlier in the week including the loss of key playmaker Brett Finch and speedy fullback Nathan Gardner whilst the Vulcans looked stronger with the addition of wrecking-ball centre Konrad Hurrell.
Hurrell made the most of his first touch in the third minute when he smashed through the Sharks defence from close range to score in the right corner. Half-back Harry Siejka converted from touch and the Vulcans were away 6-0.
Auckland held their own in the early forward exchanges with prop Charlie Gubb leading the charge but it was the Sharks who capitalised next on good field position. Lock Tyrone Peachey latched on to a well-directed grubber by five-eighth Penani Manumalealii to touchdown next to the posts in the 16th minute and half-back Chad Townsend’s simple conversion levelled the scores at 6 all.
The Sharks were soon punching holes in the Vulcans tiering defence before Peachey drifted across field from 10 metres out and put second-rower Tupou Sopoaga through a gaping hole to score in the 27th minute and a 12-6 lead.
Cronulla found themselves attacking the Vulcans’ line again in the 35th minute and fullback Tony Gigot put on some tidy footwork before turning the ball back inside to replacement hooker Pat Politoni to score an easy try under the posts. Townsend’s conversion extended Cronulla’s lead to 18-6 and it remained that way when the players headed off at halftime.
An unfortunate error by Auckland fullback Glen Fisiiahi after the resumption finished with Politoni scoring his second try when he pounced on a fumbled grubber kick in the 43rd minute. Townsend kicked straight again and it was all Cronulla at 24-6 and looking in the mood to add several more.
Peachey crossed for his second try of the match in the 52nd minute and eleventh of the season after good lead up work down the left wing to extend Cronulla’s lead to 30-6. The Vulcans had no answers to the Sharks superior energy and pace through the middle and were constantly back-peddling down the edges.
The hungry Sharks continued to cash-in and extended the lead to 48-6 with another three tries between the 60th and 69th minutes to Townsend, Gigot and centre Matthew Wright. Townsend continued his perfect day with the boot converting all three tries making it eight from eight and a personal tally of 20 points for the match.
Cronulla finished in front 48-10 after the Vulcans scored a consolation try to Siejka in the final four minutes of play.
A continuation of the Sharks winning streak will be tested by a busy schedule including a mid-week match followed by next weekend’s match out west against Windsor whilst he Vulcans can look forward to a home game next week against last placed Wyong in the nation’s capital of Wellington.
Auckland Vulcans 10 (Hurrell, Siejka, tries: Siejka 1 goal)
Cronulla Sharks 48 (Politoni 2, Peachey 2, Gigot, Sopoaga, Townsend, Wright, tries; Townsend 8 goals)
Half Time 18-6 Sharks
Other Results:
Newcastle Knights 26 vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 18
Manly Sea Eagles 14 vs Wentworthville Magpies 38
Newtown Jets 20 vs Illawarra Cutters 28
Mounties 44 vs Wyong Roos 24
North Sydney Bears 12 vs Wests Tigers 16
Windsor Wolves Bye
Note:
Results of ‘catch up’ games:
Newtown Jets vs Newcastle Knights
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 18 vs Wyong Roos 22
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks
Wests Tigers vs Illawarra Cutters
Next Game:
Round # 9
Saturday 11th May vs Wyong Roos
Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 3:10pm (Triple header)
Televised live on SKY
