Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks registered their eighth win on the trot with a seven tries-to-five win over Penrith in a high scoring Minor Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval.
The Sharks won the last six games of the regular season to sneak into the finals in fifth spot. They then toppled fourth-placed Newcastle Knights in the Elimination final last weekend and now the second-placed Panthers today.
Left centre Michael Gabrael contributed to the Shire side’s dominance today with a hat-trick. He and fullback Siteni Taukamo, who scored a double himself, terrorised the Panthers right edge in the opening 35 minutes, scoring two tries each. That helped Cronulla to a 24-10 lead at halftime.
Gabrael’s third try in the 60th minute and then his try assist for winger Te Wehi Waitere in the 64th put the finishing touches on Cronulla side in a free-flowing mood. Goalkicker Riley Pollard landed six from seven in the swirling wind.
Penrith were actually the first to score through winger Jirah Liddiard in the fourth minute, and then again in the 21st when fullback Jaxen Edgar dummied to the men outside and darted through a hole.
The Panthers reduced a 30-16 scoreline against them in the second half to 30-26 through tries to bench forward Siotame Hansen and centre Angelis Hotere-Papalii.
But the two late tries to the Sharks ensured their passage to next Saturday’s Preliminary final.
Match report courtesy of NSWRL. Written by Margie McDonald
