The Sharks Harold Matthews Cup team opened their season with a resounding 28-4 victory over the Raiders in their round 1 match on Saturday.
Despite the final score the Sharks struggled early making several errors coming out of their half giving the Raiders field position and opportunity. Some great hands by Sharks Koby Douglas on the try line denied one of the Raiders attacks but the weight of possession would prove too much, and it would the Raiders 10 minutes into the game who would take the early lead 4-0.
The momentum started to shift, and the Sharks mounted several attacks on the Canberra line. Despite coming up empty handed the Sharks were starting to look dangerous and a penalty to the raiders at the 15-minute mark of the game provided a short reprieve from the Sharks onslaught.
The Sharks composed themselves and appeared to change gear and it was a smart Max Demeio chip that would put the winger over for their first points and tie things up at 4 points apiece.
Shortly after Lachlan Araullo scored and this time Dylan Christensen coverted to give the Sharks a 10-4 half time lead.
The second half was then dominated by the Under-17 Sharks, three more tries, all converted by Dylan Christensen who finished with four goals from five attempts on the day, rounded out an encouraging five tries to one round one win.
It was a dominant performance by Max Demeio who orchestrated a number of tries and finished the game by replicating the opening try, this time with another deft chip-kick for the winger to rub salt into the Raiders wounds right on full-time to round out a great day for the Sharks boys.
Don't forget to visit ourfootyteam.com and sharks.com.au for all of the results, competition ladders, more photos as well as to stay up to date with all the latest news about the Sharks and Sharks junior representative teams.
Story & Pictures: Adam Wrightson
For high resolution photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ww341xLDkL51H8S27
Round 1 - Team List
Chevy Stewart
Harrison Hood
Talanoa Penitani
Koby Douglas
Samson Mairi
Max Demeio
Dylan Christensen
Zane Watson
Taj Brailey (c)
Lachlan Crossle
Lawson Cotter
Lachlan Colenso
Luke Raymond Interchange
Billy Dickens
Lachlan Araullo
Justin Letton
Ricardo Oloapu
Mitchel Hodgson
Albert Litisoni