IN cold, blustery conditions at Ron Costello Oval on Sunday, Shellharbour City Sharks continued their good run in the VB South Coast Rugby League season with a 42-16 win over Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Sharks looked good in attack in the first half, aided by some feeble defence from the Eagles.
The Shellharbour forwards, led by Dane Sablowski, Harold Snell and Craig Stapleton, did most of the damage but the Eagles did rally in the second half with a little more possession.
Shellharbour had all the possession in the opening 10 minutes. Bronx Goodwin scored in the corner and moments later Sablowski sent fullback Ian Catania in for Goodwin to convert. The Sharks led 10-0.
Catania was in again soon after, and in the 25th minute the Sharks scored a fantastic try with winger Jamie Manukonga sending a great pass to Goodwin, then back to Manukonga, who scored in the corner. That made it 20-0, and a big score was on the cards.
Albion Park rallied and held that score to half-time, but their defence in the opening four minutes of the second half was almost nonexistent. Shellharbour added tries to Sablowski, converted by Goodwin, and then Manukonga sent Goodwin in, with the final pass appearing forward for 30-0.
Finally, Albion Park showed some spark when Matt Carroll and Simon Harris combined to send winger Kyle Zimmerman in to score, but after 15 minutes Snell scored for Justin Rodrigues to convert. The Eagles added two quick tries; an intercept by Carroll, who ran 60 metres, followed by a Gary Breakspear try. In the final minute Snell went over for a well-deserved four-pointer.
In other weekend games, Gerringong stayed in the running for a semi-final spot with a 38-10 win over Milton-Ulladulla, Berry produced a point-a-minute second half to thump Port Kembla 58-22, and Nowra-Bomaderry Jets proved too good for Kiama 32-12.
