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Courtesy of Sharks.com
Sharks down but far from out
Despite going down by a four-point margin the LG Sharks made a big impression on the estimated 8,000 fans at Kingsford Smith Oval in Ballina in their trial match against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday night.
In the final wash up goal kicking was the difference with the teams crossing for five tries apiece in the match won 28-24 by the Eels.
The Sharks jumped out to a 12-6 advantage at quarter time, fell behind 18-12 at the half time break before coming up just short after a spirited comeback in the dying moments of the game.
The Sharks can now look forward to welcoming back into the 17-man squad the representative foursome of Nigel Vagana, Phil Bailey, Jason Stevens and Chris Beattie. Big front rower Beattie was scheduled to make the trip north to Ballina but was forced out of the squad at the last minute with a blood infection, his place being taken by teenage forward Reece Williams.
For the Cronulla side Paul Gallen, Dean Bosnich, Hassan Saleh, Brett Kimmorley and Nathan Merritt scored tries, while Kimmorley kicked two goals.
While on the wrong side of the final score line, coach Stuart Raper was more than pleased with what he saw from his team, especially the performance of fullback David Peachey, playing in his first match in 2004.
Thats what I wanted and especially it was what the players wanted, Raper said of the physical encounter. I thought five tries each was a good guide to what the game was.
We did some enterprising stuff. On the fringes we looked dangerous and going forward we looked dangerous. We showed what we can do.
While giving away a size advantage to their opponents due to the absence of Beattie and Stevens, Raper singled out a number of his forwards for their efforts on the night.
I thought Paul Gallen was very strong, and Andrew Lomu and Danny Nutley really took us forward. Dale Newton did really well for us also, he said.
Another positive was the fact that the Sharks came through the trial with no injury worries excepting the usual bumps and bruises.
The next assignment for the LG Sharks is a lower grades trial in Mollymook against the Canberra Raiders. The Sharks are still expected to name a strong team despite resting some of the established stars from the match
Sharks down but far from out
Despite going down by a four-point margin the LG Sharks made a big impression on the estimated 8,000 fans at Kingsford Smith Oval in Ballina in their trial match against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday night.
In the final wash up goal kicking was the difference with the teams crossing for five tries apiece in the match won 28-24 by the Eels.
The Sharks jumped out to a 12-6 advantage at quarter time, fell behind 18-12 at the half time break before coming up just short after a spirited comeback in the dying moments of the game.
The Sharks can now look forward to welcoming back into the 17-man squad the representative foursome of Nigel Vagana, Phil Bailey, Jason Stevens and Chris Beattie. Big front rower Beattie was scheduled to make the trip north to Ballina but was forced out of the squad at the last minute with a blood infection, his place being taken by teenage forward Reece Williams.
For the Cronulla side Paul Gallen, Dean Bosnich, Hassan Saleh, Brett Kimmorley and Nathan Merritt scored tries, while Kimmorley kicked two goals.
While on the wrong side of the final score line, coach Stuart Raper was more than pleased with what he saw from his team, especially the performance of fullback David Peachey, playing in his first match in 2004.
Thats what I wanted and especially it was what the players wanted, Raper said of the physical encounter. I thought five tries each was a good guide to what the game was.
We did some enterprising stuff. On the fringes we looked dangerous and going forward we looked dangerous. We showed what we can do.
While giving away a size advantage to their opponents due to the absence of Beattie and Stevens, Raper singled out a number of his forwards for their efforts on the night.
I thought Paul Gallen was very strong, and Andrew Lomu and Danny Nutley really took us forward. Dale Newton did really well for us also, he said.
Another positive was the fact that the Sharks came through the trial with no injury worries excepting the usual bumps and bruises.
The next assignment for the LG Sharks is a lower grades trial in Mollymook against the Canberra Raiders. The Sharks are still expected to name a strong team despite resting some of the established stars from the match
