Sharks Show Spirit Despite South's Defeat

Sharks' Paul Gallen: down but not out

South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 Cronulla Sharks

NRL Round 2
ANZ Stadium

With the news that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) have delayed their investigation of the fourteen players alleged to have broken their code of conduct, facing genuine title contenders might not have sounded the most appealing prospect.

Cronulla Sharks though managed to put their off the field troubles behind them in a focussed and spirited display which pushed the hosts all the way in a thriller.

A typically Australian game of rugby league, full of hard running, committed tackling and inventiveness from cheeky half-backs, such as the ever impressive Adam Reynolds, provided a welcome distraction from the men in suits.

The Rabbitohs, who have had eleven days to wait since their season opening win over the Roosters in which Reynolds starred, once again had the diminutive scrum half to thank for making sure that they maintained their unbeaten start to the NRL season.

The superlatives for the 22 year old – who has been linked with a call up to the New South Wales State of Origin side – were at the ready after just five minutes, when his clip found Andrew Everingham ready to pounce.

Another Reynolds kick, provided another Rabbitohs try less than ten minutes later; Dylan Farrell steamed on to a perfectly weighted grubber to ground and give the hosts some early breathing space.

When Sharks full back Michael Gordon evaded the clutches of the defence on eighteen minutes, you could have been forgiven for predicting a flurry of scores. It didn’t happen.

Both sides were dogged in defence and went about completing their sets in uncomplicated and uncompromising fashion until Reynolds nudged a penalty over on half time for an eight point ball game.

Without Sam Burgess in the home ranks, following his retrospective suspension from the Roosters game, it would have been understandable if there was a lack of firepower. With the sole representative of the Burgess quartet, George on the field of play, this was not the case though.

Last week’s hat-trick hero Nathan Merritt was lucky to escape caution for illegal use of the shoulder when denying a Shark’s try, moments before he was denied one of his own by the video referee for obstruction.

His opposite marker Beau Ryan did cross from nearly 90 metres out with the only score of the second half as he intercepted a loose ball and raced clear to put the game back on a knife-edge.

The Sharks fumbled half chances and were nearly punished when Reynolds, who deserved a try, was denied late on as he attempted to add gloss to the hard fought two point win.