Sharks upset Roosters

For the second time this season the Cronulla Sharks have defeated the Sydney Roosters but this victory would be more sweeter for Sharks fans, defeating the premiership contenders 18-12 at Toyota Stadium.

The match began with a complete arm wrestle between two sides that were struggling not only to complete their sets, but to also use the attacking options available. It took until the 34th minute for the first points to be scored when Sharks centre Ben Pomeroy intercepted a wayward Mitchell Pearce pass to go the length and score. The Roosters hit right back with captain Braith Anasta using some fancy footwork to level it up. Phil Graham then proceeded to break the Sharks line and send Shaun Kenny-Dowall over right before the half-time break, giving the visitors a 12-6 advantage.

The second half began but the momentum each team carried into the break was lost. The defence was there, but the attack was not. Tim Smith made the first move mid-way through the half, sending Dean Collis over to level the scores up once more. Trent Barrett then gave the Sharks the upper hand with ten minutes to go, sending Nathan Gardner through some ordinary Roosters defence to give the Sharks a surprising 18-12 advantage.

The Roosters had to throw everything at the Sharks defence in the dying minutes, but the home side held on tight to score an amazing win.

Match Details
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18 defeated Sydney Roosters 12
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 23 - Friday August 13, 2010 7:35pm
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy and Ricky McFarlane
Crowd: 8,911
Halftime: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 6 Sydney Roosters 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Paul Gallen
2 Points - Nathan Gardner (1 Try)
1 Point - Todd Carney (2 Conversions)

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS (18)
Tries: Dean Collis, Ben Pomeroy, Nathan Gardner
Conversions: Luke Covell (3/3)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (12)
Tries: Braith Anasta, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Conversions: Todd Carney (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Toyota Park, where tonight the Cronulla Sharks will meet the Sydney Roosters, for a Friday night battle. Sharks fans will be looking to repeat the demolition job their side did on the Roosters earlier in the season, while Roosters fans will be hoping their side goes back to a winning run, following their first defeat in over a month last weekend.
Taulima Tautai will start in the back row for the Sharks, swapping places with Grant Millington who moves to the interchange bench.
Mitchell Aubusson has succumed to his injury and will once again be out. Newtown's Jonathan Ford will make his NRL debut, while Joseph Leilua will take the bench position of Lopini Paea.
Sharks won the Toyota Cup match 20-16 over the Roosters.
We're under way!
5 min: Braith with some good runs early, a bad shot will see Roosters enforcer Frank-Paul Nuuausala go on report.
9 min: The Sharks on their game tonight, looking like the side that put the Roosters away just a few weeks back.
12 min: Great move by Todd Carney, no-one to back him up though.
17 min: Still 0-0, Sharks with plenty of ball, the Roosters still sharing some of those handling problems they had last week.
21 min: Both teams lacking a bit with the ball.
21 min: Plenty of penalties...but they're all going one way. Sharks leading the count heavily.
26 min: Both teams lacking in the kicking department, particularly the Roosters so far.
30 min: Todd Carney nails another 40/20. He's the man to watch so far.
30 min: Roosters looking on top at the moment, but really unable to put points on the board.
31 min: No surprise, no try.
34 min: TRY
After soaking up all of the pressure, it is the Sharks to score the first try through Ben Pomeroy intercepting a Mitchell Pearce pass. Not the best game from Pearce tonight. Pomeroy has no opposition, scoring a great try.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 6-0
38 min: TRY Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
I like to think I inspire people (ha). Pearce hits back, passing to Braith Anasta who steps the opposition to score the Roosters opener, equalising the game.
6 all
40 min: TRY
The Roosters on fire right now, right before the half-time break. Phil Graham breaks the line, sending Shaun Kenny-Dowall over to give the visitors the lead.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
39 min: HALF TIME - Sharks 6, Roosters 12
All of the first half tries coming in the last six minutes.
40 min: Second half underway.
44 min: Mose Masoe with another massive hit! This time on Paul Gallen.
49 min: It's starting to look like the Sharks of old. Roosters putting on some decent moves, but the Sharks defence is aiming up.
51 min: Definitely the Sharks of old. Still can't attack.
56 min: TRY
Sharks in through Collis! We're back at evens!
12 all
61 min: Still no idea who will win this one.
65 min: For the Roosters, it's no longer a case of when, but a case of if.
69 min: TRY
They've done it! Sharks in with one hand on the match!
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 18-12
74 min: Everything going against the Roosters here. Sharks only have a few more minutes to hold on.
76 min: Four minutes to go.
78 min: Two minutes to go. Todd Carney doing literally all he can. Sharks holding on.
78 min: Some refereeing decisions going against the Sharks as well. They've got to fight against everything here!
80 min: A massive upset here, second time this season the Sharks have knocked off the Roosters, this time a tad closer 18-12.