Tough weekend for Junior Rep Sharks

Sharks Media

7 days ago3 min read

While Cronulla's Lisa Fiaola Cup team shone with a hard-fought away victory over the Steelers, the club's remaining Junior Representative sides came up short in their Round 6 matches.

Down in Wollongong, the under-17 Lisa Fiaola Sharks scored a 16-6 win thanks to a double from Rhianna Karika either side of Hayley Moore's try at WIN Stadium.

However, in another intense contest, Cronulla's under-19 Tarsha Gale side were defeated 12-8 by Illawarra despite two unconverted tries to Chloe Shephard.

At Cronulla High School, the under-17 Harold Matthews (24-12) and under-19 SG Ball Sharks (25-14) were toppled by the Roosters.

To open the Harold Matthews game, poor discipline by the Roosters led to two penalties to the Sharks inside the first five minutes. However, Cronulla were unable to capitalise.

In response, the Roosters showed solid defence, rolled downfield and grabbed the first points of the match to centre Bastion Armstrong in the seventh minute, the try converted by halfback Lachlan Metcalfe.

A line break by forward Sidney Truong put the Sharks in attacking position and off the back of a changeover the Roosters couldn't complete. Truong reaped the rewards of his earlier bust, scoring under the posts in the 13th minute, with Liam Challenor's subsequent goal levelling the score at 6-6.

For the majority of the first half it was an even contest as neither side committed defensive mistakes. However, fatigue overcame Cronulla and Roosters interchange forward Kobi Siltala crossed in the final three minutes. Metcalfe converted to put the Roosters ahead 12-6 at the break.

The game was an arm wrestle coming out of the sheds, however in the 39th minute a line break from five-eighth Charlie Webb, who linked with Metcalfe in support, allowed the Roosters to secure their third try of the day. The Roosters No.7 converted his own try.

Clawing their way back into the match with five minutes remaining, the Sharks bridged the gap to 18-12 as Truong scored another converted try. It wasn't enough, with the Roosters sealing the deal in the final minute when second-rower Ravai Televu charged over.

Similar to the Harold Matthews Sharks, the SG Ball side was met with a merciless Rosters outfit who came out firing with a try to Phillip Lavakeiaho in the third minute.

Moments later, fellow forward Kanaan Magele went over and Tyson Walker landed his second goal to take the score to 12-0 inside the first 10 minutes.

After a tug of war midway through the first half, Cronulla remained patient and struck for their first points in the 21st minute through five-eighth Blake Wardrobe. Callum Grantham added the extras, reducing the margin to 12-6.

A penalty on the buzzer gave the Roosters one last play, with Toby Rodwell's field goal giving the visitors a 13-6 advantage at half-time.

A slow 15 minutes to start the second term had both sides going back and forth until Sharks winger Bailey Leach scored Cronulla's second try in the corner.

The Roosters quickly hit back with bench forward Kynan Toevia touching down under the black dot in the 46th minute, Walker again successfully converting to stretch the score to 19-10.

Jaxson Allen crossed the line in the 57th minute to extend the Roosters' lead. Walker's kicking game proved to be flawless as he booted a fourth goal.

The Sharks registered a late try to centre Kaden Garner, but with an unsuccessful conversion and limited time remaining the game had gotten away.

Despite a difficult weekend, all four Sharks Junior Rep teams are still a live chance of making the finals with three matches to go in the regular season.

The Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale teams will face the Roosters Indigenous Academy at Cronulla High School in Round 7, while the Harold Matthews and SG Ball boys are next in action against the Sea Eagles at Sharks Stadium.

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

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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