Results NSW Cup 2010 – Round 3 Cronulla Sharks v Windsor Wolves
Cronulla Sharks record a 22-22 draw.
Sharks tries to Ian James, Josh Lewis, Taulima Tautai, Jamen McLeod. Josh Lewis 3 goals.
Although they were facing extreme heat and an opposition side that looked to have a considerable size advantage, the game started well for the Sharks and they scored the first try of the game after a great pass by Scott Porter put Ian James through a huge gap, and he crossed the tryline and planted the ball down near the posts without being touched by the opposition.
Windsor were the next to score though, and the scores were tied at 6-6.
A dangerous looking attack by Windsor at the Sharks right-side defence near the Sharks line was snuffed out by in-form Cronulla Sharks half-back Josh Lewis, who intercepted a Windsor pass and ran the length of the field to score the second Sharks try.
The Sharks seemed to have most of the momentum for the rest of the first half and Taulima Tautai was able to barge through a few Windsor defenders to score the Cronulla Sharks third try of the game.
Windsor attempted a comeback, and another dangerous looking attack to the Sharks right-hand side defence was again defused by another Josh Lewis intercept near the Sharks line, but this time the cover defence were able to catch him, but not after he had run well into Windsor territory.
A penalty goal by Josh Lewis at the end of the first half saw the Cronulla Sharks leading 18-6 at half-time.
Windsor started the second-half strongly and an interception of a Scott Porter pass created Windsor’s second try of the game.
Another Windsor try was scored and the game moved into a battle of attrition where no points were scored. At the 24th minute of the second half, Taulima Tautai was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. Windsor continually attacked the Sharks line during those ten minutes and even crossed the line three times but failed to score. Strong Cronulla Sharks defence managed to hold up the defender once and dislodge the ball on two occasions when it looked certain that Windsor would score.
A highlight during these ten minutes was Josh Lewis regathering his chip kick and making an evasive run downfield to set up the Cronulla Sharks attack near the Windsor line. The Sharks failed to capitalise on this good field position but were able to hold the opposition scoreless while playing a man down for ten minutes.
When the Cronulla Sharks fullback Jamen McLeod scored in the corner with only 3 minutes remaining, it looked like the Cronulla Sharks NSW Cup side was headed for victory. An unexpected converted try by Windsor in the final seconds made the entertaining game a draw.
Although named in the side, Isaac Gordon and Ben Pomeroy did not play in this game and Trent Grubb was also a late omission from the team. Winger Tyler Jarden was added to the bench for the game.
