Sharks claim major scalp with victory over defending premiers

The Sharks have enhanced their title credentials with a thrilling 14-12 win over defending premiers Newcastle at PointsBet Stadium, in what was one of the games of the season so far.  

With the two sides entering Round 4 ranked 1st and 4th, the match promised to be a good one and delivered with interest, as the Sharks emerged victorious to remain unbeaten at the top of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership ladder. 

After trailing 8-6 at the break, Cronulla dominated large parts of the second half and restricted Newcastle to limited scoring opportunities, with a Tayla Preston penalty 20 minutes from time the difference in the end. 

Earlier both sides had shown why they are considered among the competition favourites after a month of play, with some quality attack backed up by staunch defence. 

While it was Laishon Jones who went on the scoresheet first, the try had Tamika Upton's fingerprints all over it, after she forced a repeat set with a spirited kick chase and then sent her second-rower over with a double-pump on the next use of the ball. 

But minutes later the reigning Dally M Medal winner was caught slightly out of position and beaten to a bouncing ball by Quincy Dodd, whose try was converted by Preston to put the Sharks in front. 

Tenika Willison's four-pointer, which came just 19 minutes into her NRLW debut after coming across from rugby sevens, proved to be the difference at the break with the Knights clinging to a two-point lead. 

When Tegan Dymock went over from close range three minutes into the second stanza the Sharks looked to have regained the ascendancy, but it didn't last long thanks to another piece of brilliance from Upton.

After overcalling a teammate to claim a bomb, the Newcastle No.1 split the line for a long-range break and a few plays later Albert-Jones went over for her second.

A penalty for a hand in the ruck with 20 to play presented Preston with a gift two points to retake the lead and they should have had another four points to go with 10 minutes later, only for Georgia Ravics to fumble the ball over the line after a clever cross-field kick. 

Ravics had another shot a potential match-winner a short time later, but was denied by a desperate multi-player tackle from the Knights, before there was a long pause in play as the injured Talei Holmes was taken from the field. 

In the end the Knights couldn't muster anything strong enough to break down the Cronulla line, with the Sharkies remaining undefeated in 2024 and inching closer to a minor premiership in their second season at NRLW level.