Sharks struggle in season opener
In a match featuring a lack of ball control from both sides, the Sharks were beaten 12-6 by the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
After a Brett Kimmorley penalty goal late in the game had given the Sharks their first lead, another error at their own end of the field allowed the Tigers back into an attacking position. Seizing the opportunity, Tigers veteran Darren Senter barged over from dummy half for the four-pointer that would seal his side the victory.
In his NRL debut as a first grade coach, Stuart Raper, while disappointed with the outcome of the match, remained positive that significant improvements could be made by his outfit.
Im hopeful we can benefit from having that game under our belt and that our game, our match fitness and our timing will improve from that, Raper said.
The Tigers were first to put points on the board, Sharks fullback David Peachey failing to grab hold of a clever grubber kick, with Tiger Shane Elford on the spot to force the ball over the line for the first try.
With the defence of the two teams dominating and the attack of both sides below what will be required, it took the Sharks until the 55th minute to put their first try on the board. A cross-field bomb from Kimmorley was spilt by Wests winger Jason Moodie, with big red-headed forward Keith Galloway on hand to ground the loose ball just centimetres from the dead-ball line.
The Sharks took the lead with a penalty goal about 12 minutes from full time before the Sharks error by Andrew Lomu and subsequent try to Senter sealed their fate. Brett Hodgson of the Tigers rounded out the scoring with a penalty goal two minutes from the final siren.
Rounding out their disappointing night was the news that second-rower Paul Gallen dislocated his right elbow. He is expected to miss between four to six weeks of action. Front rower Danny Nutley was another casualty, suffering a corked thigh as well as an ankle injury, on what was a tough night for the workhorse forward.
In finding positives from the performance, the fact that the Sharks were well in the game, in actual fact in front with less than 10 minutes remaining, was a good sign considering the amount of ball they turned over to their rivals.
For the Sharks props Jason Stevens and Chris Beattie toiled hard, Matt Hilder got through a mountain of work, while Phil Bailey did well in the centres despite limited opportunities.
The Sharks will attempt to regroup before taking on the Bulldogs in a round two clash to be held at the Sydney Showground next Saturday night. Kick off for that match will be at 7.30pm.
