2023 NRL Round 12: Sharks 26, Knights 6

May 20, 2023

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were looking to stay inside the top four when hosting the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.

Result

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26
Tries: (4) William Kennedy 6th; Ronaldo Mulitalo 26th; Connor Tracey 44th; Royce Hunt 69th
Goals: (5) Nicho Hynes 8th, 27th, 46th, 55th, 70th

Newcastle Knights 6
Tries: (1) Kalyn Ponga 19th
Goals: (1) Lachlan Miller 20th

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Report

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for a third consecutive year took their home fixture to Coffs Harbour where they were looking to maintain their perfect record at C.ex Coffs International Stadium against last up winners, Newcastle Knights.

This game represented a final opportunity for Nicho Hynes to secure a halves jumper for New South Wales in game 1, while Kalyn Ponga was trying to fend off a challenge from Broncos fullback Reece Walsh to retain the Maroons number 1 jersey.

It was Ponga who received a setback early in the game as he left the field under the HIA assessment after attempting to tackle Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, however he returned after being given the all clear.

William Kennedy scored the opening try as he sliced through the Knights defence after the Sharks shifted the ball from right to left. They were unlucky not to go further ahead a short time after with an obstruction call against Dale Finucane denying the Sharks a try to Nicho Hynes from inside that started inside their own twenty.

That decision saw the Sharks lose their way and saw the Knights post points through Ponga off the back of an offload from Bradman Best.

A turnover from Tyson Frizell saw the Sharks score in almost identical circumstances to their first, with Mulitalo crossing out wide. They would lead 12-6 at the half-time break despite only completing at 60%.

The Sharks extended their lead after the break with Lachlan Miller having the ball stolen by Sione Kato near his own line which saw Connor Tracey score. Royce Hunt added to the Sharks tally ten minutes out from full-time to extend the lead to twenty points.

Jacob Saifiti was placed on report for a crusher tackle in the first half.