Brendan Wood reviews the Sharks strong win over a depleted Cowboys side on Friday night.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
North Queensland Cowboys 12
Tries: Kyle Feldt (24) Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (39)
Goals: Chad Townsend (25, 40)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 26
Tries: Jesse Ramien (4, 20), Teig Wilton (61), Sione Katoa (70)
Goals: Nicho Hynes (5, 21, 28, 62, 71)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the Cowboys missing a host of Origin stars, the Sharks started on fire. Jesse Ramien proved too strong as he crashed his way through several defenders to grab first points.
There were plenty of opportunities for the Cowboys to respond, but several repeat sets on the Sharks line yielded no points for the home side. After the Sharks stood firm in defence, they landed their second try. Jesse Ramien’s power on show again as he ran from dummy-half and bulldozed his way into the in-goal.
Ramien’s second try finally sparked the Cowboys into action, as they put the ball through the hands for Kyle Feldt to score. Following the Feldt try, a penalty goal from Nicho Hynes helped the Sharks push their lead back outside a converted try.
In the shadows of halftime, Blayke Brailey was sin-binned after multiple six again calls. This opened the door for the Cowboys to score through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, cutting the margin to 14-12 at the break.
It was an error riddled start to the second half as both sides tried to find points. The Sharks survived the first eight minutes without Blayke Brailey as they held their two point lead in tact.
Mid-way through the half, a turning point saw Jason Taumalolo denied what looked like a certain try due to an obstruction. In a cruel blow for the Cowboys, the Sharks grabbed a try of their own through Teig Wilton just minutes later.
Straight off a scrum play, Sione Katoa sliced through some poor defence on the halfway line and raced away to extend the Sharks lead to 14 points.
Despite fatigue setting in, the Sharks kept the Cowboys scoreless after halftime, securing a big win in Townsville. The win moves the Sharks equal 2nd with the Cowboys on the ladder.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks), 2 pts – Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks), 1 pt – Chad Townsend (North Queensland Cowboys)
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