Sharks prevail in thrilling rain sodden affair
June 22 2013
Henson Park, Marrickville,
New South Wales
by Jodie Newell
Anyone who has played sport with an eye to participating at higher levels are always told by their coaches, practise makes perfect. Good players are often spoken about in terms of how hard they work on the training track.
The results of such work was on display at Henson Park on Saturday, where French import and now Cronulla Sharks kicker Tony Gigot nailed a difficult, angled conversion kick in the first half during awful, rain sodden conditions. That kick proved to be the deciding factor in an outstanding game of wet weather rugby league between the reigning premiers Newtown and current competition leaders Cronulla.
Gigot told us after his sides thrilling 2 point win over the Newtown Jets that he had worked hard at training during the week on his kicking skills "I trained a lot this week, because the kicker, Chad Townsend is out injured. I was a kicker in France so i'm used to this"
The former Catalan Dragon stand off’s crucial kick capped off some tough play from his Cronulla team mates against a determined Newtown. Throw in the awful weather conditions that saw the rare sight of the Henson Park lights being switched on at 4pm and the conversion was all the more valuable. Every ball was fought for, play around the ruck demanded sure hands and tackles from both teams were punishing. Newtown definitely challenged the unbeaten Sharks. They took the game right up to them and did not look intimated by the competition leaders.
“Everyone is trying to beat us and that’s the way it should be”
- Cronulla Sharks coach Tony Herman
The Jets set the tone of the game in the first five minutes with a determined try from Saulala Houma who made good use of excellent field position on the back of a penalty to score under the posts. Chris Taripo made sure of the kick. 6-0 Jets.
In previous weeks, Cronulla have been able to storm back into a game and overpower their opponents, but with the adverse weather conditions and determined play from Newtown, the battle to get back wasn't going to be easy.
Jets Brad Barrett, Ray Moujalli and in particular Kurt Kara were solid in their tackles. They made the Sharks earn every inch of yardage. For Cronulla, Tyrone Peachy made several threatening runs as did the big number 8 in Bryce Gibbs.
The Sharks hard work would soon pay off when Stewart Mills made it over the tryline. It was backed up by a superb kick from Tony Gigot. It was taken on an angle and in constant rain, he slotted it through the uprights, 7 minutes prior to the half time siren.
Newtown were determined to go to the break in front. Brad Barrett took full advantage of a handling error by Cronulla and scored a dogged try. Taripo matched the skill of Gigot and slotted home the extras. The Bluebaggers went into the sheds with a well earned lead at 12-6.
Cronulla began the half better and were soon back in the game when Tupou Sopoaga scored a try. Gigot took the kick for the extras on a slightly less difficult angle than the last attempt and made it. The game was now tied at 12-12 with no let up in the slippery conditions.
The Sharks were characteristically stepping up a gear and were soon able to post another try. This time Tyrone Peachey was able to sneak in under the posts. Tony Gigot made no mistake with the conversion. Cronulla now lead 18-12 in the worsening weather.
To Newtown's credit they did not give in and gave everything. Even the small, but vocal crowd at Henson got involved with rival supporters chanting from the King George V stand "Newtown, Newtown, Newtown" and “Cronulla, Cronulla, Cronulla" with the rain pelting down. It was a good old fashioned Sydney winter rugby league stoush by two willing opponents.
The last 20 minutes was a hard slog for both teams. Henson Park took on a surreal sight with the lights switched on against a back drop of stark afternoon afternoon skies punctuated with low flying passenger planes making a perilous descent into the murky rainclouds towards Mascot airport. Like the traffic in the sky, both teams headed for the final destination of the game with full commitment.
Newtown's Tinirau Arona kept the Jets hopes alive with a dogged try with 5 minutes remaining. Jets kick taker ChrisTaripo was unable to convert and the Jets were tantalisingly 2 points away from the lead.
The last five minutes was a roller coaster ride for both teams. Handling errors and penalties were all in play. With minutes remaining the Jets were awarded a penalty and had a gettable shot at goal from around the 30, but elected to take the tap. Thanks to a determined Cronulla defence they were kept out and the Sharkies ran out slim winners by 2 points and kept their 2013 unbeaten run intact at 15-0.
Considering the conditions, both teams could take plenty out of the result in terms of commitment and the ability to get the job done. In the end it was Gigot's accuracy that proved the difference. For Newtown, it was definitely a winnable game. They showed that the Sharks are mortal and will have plenty of confidence if and when they meet Cronulla in September.
For the Sharks the pressure doesn't end when this weekend they face the Auckland Vulcans away for what should be another tough assignment. On Saturday, Newtown go to Mt Pritchard Sports Ground to play the in-form Mounties who are currently sitting in the top eight.
