Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks fell just short of victory against the Illawarra Steelers 24-22 tonight which could spell the end of their push for a spot in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Semi-finals.
The Grand Finalists from last year are in seventh position, with only the top four teams qualifying for finals, and only two rounds left. The Sharks have a bye next weekend and then face the Newcastle Knights, but they will need a few other results to fall their way to come into contention.
The Steelers moved from fourth to third on the ladder and they take on the Knights on Easter Saturday.
The Sharks threw everything at the Steelers at Wollongong’s Collegians Sporting Complex tonight, but handling errors at crucial times were defining. Twice fullback Cassie Staples knocked on inside her 20-metre zone, while winger Zali Fay also lost control of a high ball.
The lead changed three times off the momentum swings. The Steelers scored three tries in a row, then the Sharks answered back with four, before the home side rattled off another two-try spree.
Scores were locked at 12-all at half-time. Steelers halfback Rachael Pearson had been unable to land any of her three conversions, while Maddie Studdon had a much better night with the boot kicking two from as many attempts in the opening 35 minutes.
Earlier, it looked like the Steelers might put a cricket score on the Sharks with three tries within 15 minutes – two involving fullback Emma Tonegato making the final pass to both her wingers, Olivia Vale and Teagan Berry. A member of the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues Origin squad last year, Berry was named Player of the Match.
The third Steelers try came with five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono (pictured above) holding up a pass for back-rower Anastacia Shum-Cottrell.
The Sharks had done all the defensive work but a late flurry ahead of the half-time hooter saw Studdon kick a sweet grubber for hooker Quincy Dodd to retrieve and ground.
Four minutes later, and following a burst up the middle from interchange forward Marcie Carlile, Tiana Penitani drew the defence to put Fay over in the left corner.
In the second half, the Sharks hit the front early with Tegan Dymock crashing over off a short pass close to the posts, handing Studdon an easy conversion to take an 18-12 lead.
They pushed the score out to 22-12 with centre Kiana Takairangi scoring after passing her HIA just before the break.
The Steelers had some work to do but couldn’t get their hands on the ball before another two Sharks handling mistakes led to Steelers centre Lily Rogan cutting back inside off a right-edge movement; and then hooker Keeley Davis scrambling over.
Pearson’s radar was tuned in and two conversions had the Steelers back in front 24-22. Pearson then kicked a 40-30 to pile on more pressure and although the Sharks defended their line, they had run out of time to mount one final challenge.
