Cronulla Sutherland handed the One New Zealand Warriors a second consecutive defeat in Sunday’s round five Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter at Ocean Protect Stadium in Sydney.
The planned rebound performance after last week’s loss to the Wests Tigers failed to materialise as the Sharks launched a stinging second half display to run away to a 36-12 victory.
Early on the Warriors looked in good shape, halfback Jack Thompson giving fullback Joseph Ratcliffe an opening on an angled run to the line for a 4-0 lead.
Both sides settled into the grind with no movement on the scoreboard entering the last 10 minutes of the first half.
Only then did the Warriors crack conceding a 32nd minute try which allowed Cronulla Sutherland to go to the break 6-4 ahead.
The second half was totally different.
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Sharks
9th Position
away Team
Warriors
7th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
After the Sharks went over twice in quick order to stretch to 14-4, the Warriors hit back with two tries in five minutes.
Thompson’s long ball put winger Harry Tauafiafi over in the left corner and then slick centre Motu Pasikala went in on the right.
At 14-12 the game was well-poised with 20 minutes to go. Or should have been.
Instead the Sharks grabbed the ascendancy and didn’t let go with four tries following.
The Warriors are now seventh with a 3-2 record facing another away trip when they face Melbourne next Saturday.
