In a thrilling Minor Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks defeated Penrith seven tries to five to record their eighth straight victory.In a thrilling Minor Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks defeated Penrith seven tries to five to record their eighth straight victory.
After winning their final six regular season games to sneak into the playoffs in fifth place, the Sharks defeated the second-place Panthers today and the fourth-place Newcastle Knights last weekend in the Elimination final.
With a hat-trick of his own, left center Michael Gabrael helped guide the Shire side to victory today. He and fullback Siteni Taukamo, who also scored a double, terrorized the Panthers right edge in the first 35 minutes, scoring two tries apiece to lift Cronulla to a 24-10 lead at the break.
Jirah Liddiard, a winger, scored the first goal for Penrith in the fourth minute. Fullback Jaxen Edgar scored again in the 21st, after dummying to the players outside and scurrying through a hole. The Panthers used tries from bench forward Siotame Hansen and center Angelis Hotere-Papalii to cut their opponent’s second-half score to 30-26.Jirah Liddiard, a winger, scored the first goal for Penrith in the fourth minute. Fullback Jaxen Edgar scored again in the 21st, after dummying to the players outside and scurrying through a hole. The Panthers used tries from bench forward Siotame Hansen and center Angelis Hotere-Papalii to cut their opponent’s second-half score to 30-26.
