Sharks too good in local derby
Written by: Tim Sainsbury
07/05/2006

LINK TO MATCH PICS - CLICK HERE

Round 9
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 30 v St George Illawarra Dragons 12
at Toyota Park
Referees: Steven Clark

Match Summary:
The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks have defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 30-12 at Toyota Park this afternoon.

The Sharks got off to a great start when Lance Thompson scored following a cut-out pass from Adam Dykes. The lead stretched to 12 soon after when Covell scored after some poor defence from the Dragons.

To the Dragons credit they hit back late in the second half with two tries to newcomer Charles Leaneo to go in at the break locked together at 12 all.

Despite having the wind at their backs in the first half, St George Illawarra appeared to be struggling for options, with the loss of centre Mark Gasnier after 15 minutes (hip injury) compounding their woes.

The Sharks came out in the second half and scored two tries in 12 minutes. The Dragons never looked to be in the match as they made error after error and were held scoreless in the second half.

Adam Dykes was outstanding for the Sharks and had a hand in nearly every try. Paul Gallen and David Simmons both had good games for the Sharks and Lance Thompson worked hard and couldn't help himself having a few words to his old teams mates after kicking the goal in the Sharks' last try.

For the Dragons they will have to go back to the drawing board after a second half performance riddled with errors.

Scorers:
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 30
Tries: Luke Covell, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Lance Thompson, Darren Albert
Goals: Luke Covell 4/5, Lance Thompson 1/1
St George Illawarra Dragons: 12
Tries: Charles Leaneo(2)
Goals: Aaron Gorrell 1/1, Ben Hornby 1/1

By the Clock:
0 min: NEWS A sunny afternoon here today at Toyota Park for today's clash between the Sharks & Dragons. The Sharks come into the game in great form after good wins in their last 2 matches after a shaky start to the season, where on the other hand the Dragons have been inconsistent in recent weeks. A good close contest expected here today.

1 min: NEWS Play underway

4th min: NEWS off to the Video ref possible Sharks try

4th min: NEWS NO TRY - goal line dropout Dragons

5th min: NEWS Sharks blow a great chance by knocking on in the dummy half

8th min: NEWS Still 0 - 0 strong defence from both sides as the Sharks enjoy the better field position

10 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Lance Thompson opens the scoring after a great cutout pass from Adam Dykes.
Conversion successful.
Sharks 6-0

13 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks spread the ball wide and Covell scores after some poor defence from the Dragons.
Conversion successful
Sharks 12-0

15 min: NEWS Dragons blow a try after Hornby chips over to Gasnier who drops the ball trying to put the ball down.

17 min: NEWS Off to the Video ref possible Dragons try

17 min: NEWS NO - TRY - Penalty to the Sharks, Best penalised for tackling Covell in the air.

NEWS - Gasnier (Dragons) forced off with a hip injury.

23 min: NEWS Dragons also blow a try after Barrett launches up a high bomb and young Morris looses the ball with the line beckoning.

31 min: NEWS This time the Sharks blow another try with the line wide open, lots of missed opportunities for both sides.

34 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Leaneo bursts through the Sharks defence to score for the Dragons.
Conversion successful.
Sharks 12-6

38 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Dragons Charles Leaneo score again on the back of a great break from Trent Barrett. Conversion successful from Ben Hornby.
12 all.

40 min: NEWS Halftime - The Dragons have hit back late in the half with 2 tries to go into the sheds locked at 12 all after the Sharks were the better side for the majority of the first half. A great contest awaits, the Sharks will have the use of a stiff breeze in the second half.

41 min: NEWS Mark Gasnier's first half injury report is that he will take no further part.

44 min: NEWS Barrett comes within inches of scoring then loses the ball in the dummy half a let off for the Sharks

46 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks spread the ball for Dykes to run around Bailey and link up with Albert to score out wide. Conversion unsuccessful
Sharks 16-12

52 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
More poor defence from the Dragons as David Simmons puts on the speed to beat the defence and score an easy try. Conversion successful
Sharks 22-12

54 min: NEWS Goal line drop out for the Dragons after a great kick from Dykes that sits in the in goal

58 min: NEWS Dragons putting the pressure on now with back to back goal line drop outs from the Sharks

61 min: PENALTY GOAL Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Covell converts from in front after a penalty from Trent Barret
Sharks 24-12

63 min: NEWS The Dragons are self exploding here with too many errors and are handing the game to the Sharks

73 min: NEWS The game looks to have slipped away from the Dragons as they continue to make errors. The Sharks look to be home

75 min: NEWS Unsuccessful field goal attemp from Brett Kearney

78 min: TRY Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The Sharks go up the middle of the ruck and Vagana supports and runs away to score the try and rub salt into the wounds of the Dragons. Lance Thompson converts against his old team
Sharks 30-12

80 min: NEWS Fulltime - The Sharks have completely outplayed a disappointing and error riddled Dragons side in the local derby at Toyota and come away easy winners 30 - 12

80 min: NEWS Fulltime - The Sharks have completely outplayed a disappointing and error riddled Dragons side in the local derby at Toyota Park and come away easy winners 30 - 12
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Adam Dykes (Sharks)
2 - Paul Gallen (Sharks)
1 - David Simmons (Sharks)
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