Tigers Shock Sharks, Jeopardizing Cronulla's NRLW Finals Hopes
In an unexpected turn of events, the Wests Tigers secured a stunning 12-10 victory over the Cronulla Sharks at Shark Park, putting the Sharks' NRLW finals chances in serious doubt. The match unfolded with high tension and moments of drama that left Cronulla scrambling to maintain their position in the top four.
The game kicked off with an explosive start, as Sharks prop Holli Wheeler was sin-binned within the first 10 minutes for a shoulder charge on Tigers' Sarah Togatuki. This early setback proved costly, with the Tigers quickly capitalizing on the extra player advantage. Claudia Nielsen crossed the try line, and with a successful conversion from Losana Latu, the Tigers took an early 6-0 lead.
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Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley praised his squad for their strong performance, saying, "They worked really hard, got a performance and a victory. I am really proud of the ladies."
Despite this early dominance, the Sharks were not without their chances. Sharks hooker Quincy Dodd created a moment of brilliance with a line break, scoring Cronulla’s first points and allowing Tayla Preston to level the game at 6-6 just before halftime. However, it was clear that discipline would be a deciding factor in the match. Cronulla continued to struggle, with another costly sin-bin when Talei Holmes was sidelined for a dangerous high tackle on Tigers’ halfback Losana Lutu.
Even with a player down, the Sharks briefly took the lead after captain Tiana Penitani's try, pushing them ahead 10-6. But the Tigers weren't done. In a game of fluctuating momentum, the visitors managed to turn the tide once more. After a series of back-to-back penalties, second-rower Brooke Talataina powered her way over the line. A conversion from Pauline Piliae-Rasabale gave the Tigers the 12-10 advantage they would hold until the final whistle.
Cronulla’s coach Tony Herman admitted the disappointment of the loss, stating, "We’re in this position because we put ourselves there." Now, the Sharks find themselves in a precarious situation, anxiously awaiting the results of other key matches that could knock them out of the finals race entirely.
While the Tigers' victory provided a late-season highlight for the team, they are still expected to finish last on the ladder unless a miracle occurs. For Cronulla, however, the weekend promises to be nerve-wracking as they depend on other teams’ results to secure their spot in the finals.
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