With the NSWRL Junior Rep’s Program changed from Under 16’s in the Harold Matthews Cup to Under 17’s and the Under 18 SG Ball Cup to Under 19’s for the 2021 Footy Season, clubs have given the Under 16 and Under 18 players an opportunity to play footy in the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups for these age groups.
Today the Central Coast Roosters travelled down the highway to Erskineville Oval to get it on with the South Sydney Rabbitoh’s and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Although the Sharks will not be competing in either the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups they still were rewarded with a game against the Central Coast Roosters U16’s on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the famous Erskineville Oval.
The game was played in 3 x 20 minute stanza’s with a drink break in each third.
It was an exciting game played with excellent spirit. Both of these young teams had their chances and a few tries were bombed in what was their first outing for the year. Fittingly today's match ended with both sides scoring 3 tries
The game started with both teams going up and down the field for the first 10 or 12 minutes simply trying to find a rhythm and test the combinations they have been practicing in the pre-season.
The Sharks started throwing the ball wide in attack and 45 meters out from the line pushed the pass just too far with the CC Roosters winger anticipating it and running 55 meters to score off an intercept pass under the black dot and untouched for the first try of the day.
After the drinks break the Sharks were attacking and scored under the post to level the scores at one try a piece.
In the second third the Sharks scored quickly adding an important try to lead 2 tries to 1. Not long after one of the Sharks forwards smashed his way through 3 or 4 Central Coast defenders to give his team a 3 tries to 1 lead.
Feeling confident going into the 3rd stanza, the Sharks played good aggressive footy with no luck, however the Central Coast players took full advantage of their few opportunities to score 2 quick tries to level the scores at three tries each in what was a really good game of footy and a first hit out for both teams.
Don't forget to visit ourfootyteam.com for more photos and to stay up to date with latest news about junior representative rugby league both in the shire and more broadly.
Pictures: Adam Wrightson
For high resolution photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JB2L2fChfJeKqiow7
Yesterday's team line-up for the Sharks was as follows:
1. James McConnell
21. Alistair Faulkner
5. Josh Siditi
6. Arian Tongalea
7. Tanner Featherstone
3. Dylan Frazer
18. Ashton Simmonds
8. Chris Chrisodoulou
9. Blake Woodger
10. Harry Samuuel
11. Max McCarthy
12. Jasper Catton
20. Will Hillyer
14. Liam Feros
16. Isaiah White
17. Troy Whicker
15. Lochi McMartin
19. Sam Patton