Mixed day for Junior Sharks

cronullajrl

12 minutes ago2 min read

In a day of high drama at New Era Stadium, the Cronulla Sharks' junior representative teams experienced both elation and heartbreak in their Round 3 clashes against the Parramatta Eels. The Harold Matthews Cup (Under-17s) squad showcased remarkable resilience, overturning a 10-point deficit in the final minutes to secure a thrilling 22-20 victory. Conversely, the SG Ball (Under-19s) team suffered a gut-wrenching 22-18 defeat, conceding a try in the dying moments.

The day commenced with the Sharks' Under-16 Development Squad facing off against the Eels' counterparts. In a match designed for experience rather than competition points, the young Sharks endured a challenging outing. The Eels dominated the 3x20 minute format, amassing 36 points before the Sharks managed a late consolation try. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Sharks' boys held their heads high, valuing the invaluable experience gained against a formidable opponent.

In the Harold Matthews Cup encounter, the Sharks found themselves trailing 20-10 midway through the second half. Backrower Cruz Parkin was a standout, crossing for two tries, including a pivotal score right on halftime. With time winding down, Thomas Stepic powered over near the posts, and Brodie Johnson finished a slick short-side play to level the scores. Liam Challenor's clutch conversion from the touchline sealed the comeback victory, maintaining the team's perfect start to the season.

The SG Ball match mirrored the earlier game's intensity. The Sharks held an 18-12 advantage with just 15 minutes remaining, thanks to tries from Tom Dellow, Dallas Blackburn-Kingi, and Alex Challenor. However, the Eels rallied, scoring twice in the final minutes, including a decisive try two minutes from full-time, handing the Sharks a heartbreaking 22-18 loss.

Looking ahead, the Matthews Cup and SG Ball Sharks return home for Round 4, hosting the Newcastle Knights at Sharks Stadium while the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Sharks will travel to Hills Grammar to take on the North Sydney Bears.

Game times are as follows:

Saturday 22nd February 2025

Matthews Cup Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Pointsbet Stadium @ 12:00pm
SG Ball Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Pointsbet Stadium @ 1:45pm
Lisa Fiaola Sharks vs North Sydney Bears Hills Grammar @ 10:00am
Tarsha Gale Sharks vs North Sydney Bears Hills Grammar @ 12:00pm

Come down and support the teams - #UpUp - GO Sharkies !!!

Check out the selection of photos and links to full galleries from all three games below thanks to Cronulla JRL Photographer - Adam Wrightson.

Remember to visit the official Sharks Website and to follow the Cronulla JRL website and social media channels for all the action and excitement from the 2025 NSWRL junior representative season.

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