The Sydney Roosters unbeaten streak in the Jersey Flegg Cup competition has come to an end, after the side were defeated 26-6 by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at PointsBet Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Despite a comprehensive second-half performance from the Tricolours, stemming from incredible playmaking by Hugo Savala and persistent defence from Corey Ross , Phoenix Steinwede and Max McCathie, the Sharks proved too strong in the top-of-the-table clash.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 7 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Roosters
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
The Roosters were challenged early in defence, with Cronulla granted three repeat sets within 20 metres of the try-line in the opening 10 minutes. But the Tricolours held strong, uniting to shove Sharks winger Cain Barnes over the sideline, gaining possession back.
Barnes finally crossed for the home side in the 15th minute, this time executing the left edge attacking play he previously attempted.
Easts stole the lead four minutes later after Caleb Tohi charged down a Niwhai Puru kick and gathered the ball before racing 60 metres downfield to get his team into their attacking half. In the same set, Roosters five-eighth Tyler Colley put a chip kick over the line and into the in-goal which was grounded by Ross behind the posts. Savala kicked the conversion to give his team a two-point lead.
Barnes got his second try of the afternoon for the Sharks in the 24th minute in the same fashion as his first. Despite an appeal from the Roosters about the pass that connected with the winger being forward, the referee did not entertain the argument, awarding the try immediately. Max Riolo failed to convert for the second time, leaving the score at 8-6.
Puru set up Cronulla’s third four-pointer six minutes later after the home side received three consecutive sets within 20 metres of their try-line. Engaging the line, the Sharks halfback stuck his hand out of the tackle to flick an offload to his hooker Samuel Healy who dived over from close range. Riolo kicked the conversion to give his team some breathing space.
Two minutes before half time the Sharks struck again, with Lock Blake Hosking streaming through the defensive line before spinning out of a one-on-one tackle with Roosters fullback Owen Flaherty to crash over the try-line. Riolo added the extras, sending Cronulla to the sheds with a 20-6 advantage.
The Roosters and Sharks traded verbal and physical blows throughout the second half, with try scoring opportunities for both teams being spilt over the line. The Tricolours maintained large periods of possession, but were unable to capitalise and obtain points as Cronulla’s defence held strong, even after winger Kristian Dixon was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul.
The 33-minute stalemate was broken by Henry O’Kane who gathered a grubber and evaded the Roosters defence to claim the home side’s fifth try of the game. Riolo made the margin 20-points, cementing the win.
Sydney Roosters 6 (Corey Ross try; Hugo Savala goal) def by Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26 (Cain Barnes 2, Samuel Healey, Blake Hosking, Henry O’Kane Tries; Max Riolo 3 goals)
