Matthews Cup Sharks top of the table after Roosters demolition

Updated: Mar 22, 2022

In a scenario not dissimilar to the NRL team the night prior, head coach Brad Kelly wasn’t present on game day for the Matthews Cup Sharks while in Covid quarantine, however it made little difference to the result.

While their NRL ‘big brothers’ were unable to come up with the points with Craig Fitzgibbon absent due to Covid protocols, the young Sharks had no such problem as they put the Central Coast Roosters to the sword in recording a 34-0 triumph to remain undefeated and on top of the Matthews Cup table.

Despite it being four weeks since their last hit out due to byes and washouts, the under-17 Sharks were undeterred, jumping out quickly with a Jasper Catton try with just their second set with the football.

The Catton try and Chevy Stewart conversion gave the Sharks an early lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish while keeping their opponent scoreless.

Nick Pantelis, Ashton Simmonds and Will Stewart would also cross for first half tries and with the score 20-0 at the break, from there the Sharks would cruise to their third win, to also go with a bye, from the opening four rounds of the Matthews Cup competition.

Standing in for Kelly in assisting the young coaching staff of Corey Willis and Fine Kula, Sharks Elite Pathways Manager Glenn Brailey was impressed by what the Sharks were able to produce.

“It was a good performance. Difficult conditions, hot weather, the grass was long and it was a heavy track, but the boys did a really good job,” Brailey said. “They hadn’t played for a few weeks but they were keen to get here, we had a lot of respect for this team, but we just wanted to get the two points.

“To keep them to zero was a credit to the boys. We were keen on keeping a clean sheet.

“They’ve done a really good job Brad and the coaching staff with the team they’re developing here. They are very well drilled. But there is still a lot of work to do,” Brailey added.

Pantelis and Catton both crossed for second half four-pointers, with big centre Jayze Tuigamala rounding out the Sharks scoring with a spectacular effort late in the contest.

With round five having been cancelled, next up for the Sharks, who are now the only team to have a perfect record through four rounds, is a round six match up with the Manly Sea Eagles at PointsBet Stadium next Sunday (20th March).

SHARKS 34 Nick Pantelis 2, Jasper Catton 2, Will Stewart, Ashton Simmonds, Jayze Tuigamala tries, Chevy Stewart 2, Simmonds goal beat CENTRAL COAST 0

See the Cronulla JRL action gallery from the match below.

Don't forget to also visit sharks.com.au for more news and photos about the Sharks and Sharks junior representative teams.

Pictures: Adam Wrightson

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