| Rabbits hold off fast finishing Sharks | | Print | |
| Saturday, 25 April 2009 08:30 | |||
SportsAustralia.com Jodie Leeson Friday April 24, 2009
A first half blitz from the South Sydney Rabbitohs laid the foundation for an impressive 32-26 win over the Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium tonight. The first half four try effort saw the Rabbitohs enter the break ahead 22-18 with a further two tries after the break sealing the victory. The carnage began in the 11th minute with Souths halfback Chris Sandow running to the line and then feeding a perfect cut out pass to David Kidwell who broke through the gap with speed. Identifying the left hand defence of the Sharks as a weakness the Rabbitohs once again attacked that edge. Running the ball through the hands they found centre Beau Champion who crossed five metres in from touch. David Fa’alogo, the Rabbitohs barnstorming back rower crossed for their third try at the 21st minute mark. Changing the point of attack they raided the right hand defence of the Sharks, with Fa’alogo crushing defenders in his wake. Sharks Captain Paul Gallen, in his first match back from suspension gave his side a burst of hope as he crossed five minutes later. Attacking ten metres out from the Rabbitohs line hooker Corey Parker attracted two defenders from dummy half and then slipped an inside ball to Gallen who pushed over. Opposing Captain Roy Asotasi pushed the momentum back to his side when he crossed in the 32nd minute. With diminutive hooker Isaac Luke taking the ball to the line he created an opportunity for Asotasi who burst through the gap beating two defenders in the process. The Sharks gave themselves a great platform heading into the second half with two tries in the space of three minutes prior to the break. The first to Luke Covell came after he spun out of numerous tackles and pushed off Kidwell twice before beating him to the line. Their second to David Simmons came after some great lead up work involving Trent Barrett. Shifting the ball to the right through Barrett and Gallen they linked with Mitch Brown and eventually Simmons to send the winger across out wide for a halftime deficit of 22-18. Souths extended their lead nine minutes into the second half with a second try to Champion. Spreading the ball wide through the hands Champion was able to slice through the offending defence before planting the ball across the stripe. Despite the try Souths looked to be in a spot of trouble with Craig Wing forced from the field with a head knock. Three minutes later the Rabbitohs were in again, this time through Nathan Merritt. A controversial omission from NSW’s 40 man preliminary squad for this year’s series, Merritt reminded the selectors of his ability with a great turn of speed. With Luke attacking from dummy half he put Champion in space before he passed on the outside to Merritt who crossed untouched, gifting the Rabbitohs a 32-18 lead which looked unassailable. An opportunity for the Sharks was closed quickly when Simmons fumbled badly with the line wide open in the 62nd minute. A neat kick by Barrett into the in goal only had to be grounded by Simmons but he was unable to take possession of the ball solidly. Two tries late to the Sharks via Ben Pomeroy and then Luke Covell with four minutes remaining narrowed the gap to four, but the Rabbitohs who looked to have spent all of their petrol hung on for a memorable victory. NRL Season 2009 - Round Seven: South Sydney – 32 Cronulla Sharks – 26 @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
|
