SG Ball Sharks score a resounding win over the Raiders

After a confidence boosting come-from-behind win over Manly the week before, the SG Ball Sharks have turned in their best display of the 2022 season with a commanding 40-6 win over Canberra in their round seven match.

Played at PointsBet Stadium in wet and slippery conditions, the Sharks controlled the ball and backed a smart kicking game in scoring seven tries for their third consecutive victory as they remained well in the hunt for a finals berth.

The under-19 Sharks started with a spring in their step and after early pressure it was half back Chaz Jarvis spotting an opening 10-metres out from the Canberra line and slicing through to post first points.

Jake Hay converted and the Sharks had an early 6-0 lead.

That advantage was extended soon after when Ben Lavender slid over wide out on the end of a clever exchange of passes and the Hay conversion from near touch put the Cronulla side ahead by 12-0.

Capitalising on poor ball control from their opponents the Sharks continued to attack and the same pair to score the first two tries would combine for their team’s third.It was Jarvis finishing off the movement, the Sharks half beating a handful of defenders before diving over under the posts after receiving a one-handed off-load from Lavender. The simple conversion from Hay send the Sharks to the half time break up by 18-0.

Well in control, the half time message from coach Dave Howlett would have been all about continuing the second period the way they finished the first and that was exactly what happened, two spectacular long range tries from fullback Siteni Taukamo, both converted by Hay, and at 30-0 the result and two competition points were in little doubt despite more than 20 minutes of the match remaining.

Canberra crossed for their only points in the 55th minute of the match, however two more Sharks tries, from replacement back Noah Penitani and winger Kristian Dixon, and it was resounding win for the home side, the large margin of victory also boosting their for-and-against as they chase a Finals berth.

As would be expected following such a one-side win, there were a number of standout performers for the Sharks, none better that five eighth Hay who kicked intelligently in the tricky conditions in steering his team around the park.

The forwards dominated their rivals, with lock Ethan Coco, backrower Lawson Cotter and prop Lachlan Crouch amongst those leading the way and laying a platform for the outside backs, with Dixon and Taukamo taking advantage as the Sharks winger and fullback delivered their best performances of the 2022 season.

The SG Ball Sharks moved into seventh position on the ladder following the win, with their next assignment a match against the Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

SHARKS 40 Chaz Jarvis 2, Siteni Taukamo 2, Noah Pentani, Kristian Dixon, Ben Lavender tries, Jake Hay 6 goals best CANBERRA 6 Regan Carr try, Corey Lewis goal

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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