Sharks Wrangle Cowboys

The Cronulla Sharks have produced a sensational second half revival to hand the previously unbeaten North Queensland Cowboys their first loss of the season 24-22 tonight at Toyota Park.

Cronulla came into the game as huge underdogs and at half time the bookies assessment looked spot on as they trailed the league leading Cowboys 22-10, but a comeback led by half back Adam Dykes saw the home side tie the game at 22-22 before a penalty goal from winger Luke Covell gave the struggling Sharks two much needed competition points.

After enduring a horror start to the season the Sharks looked set for more woe when the Cowboys opened the scoring in just the third minute of the game when a precise ball from Matt Bowen found a charging Luke O’Donnell who touched down for an easy try in the left hand corner.

Five Eighth Johnathan Thurston’s curling attempt from the sideline never looked like missing to send the visitors to an early 6-0 lead.

Cronulla hit back strongly just four minutes later with Phil Bailey crashing over to reduce the deficit to two points and soon after the Sharks had a shock lead when second rower Lance Thompson stepped past Steve Southern and Matt Bowen close to the try line to crash over between the posts (10-6).

The contest continued to see saw and in the 19th minute the scores were level when Thurston put in a beautifully placed grubber through for Matt Sing and even though the kick looked too strong the flying winger was able to grab the ball just before it went dead in goal to score a spectacular try.

North Queensland regained the lead in the 33rd minute when interchange dynamo Rod Jensen pierced some soft Cronulla defence and then shortly before half time the Cowboys looked to have landed the killer blow when O’Donnell scored his second try of the first half after some neat play from Thurston (22-10).

The Sharks rescue mission began in the 54th minute when Dykes crossed for his third try of the season to cut the deficit to just a converted try and he then helped to complete the comeback when he set up centre Nigel Vagana for a try.

Covell landed both conversions to tie the game at 22-22 and then in the 65th minute he nailed a 30 metre penalty goal to give the Sharks a lead they would not relinquish over the final 15 minutes of the game.

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