No fairytale end for Barrett, Covell
The fine NRL careers of both Trent Barrett and Luke Covell have finished in disappointment, with the Cronulla Sharks suffering a hefty 50-12 loss to Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday night.
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NRL Sharks Lose To Panthers
Scott Brooks
4/09/2010 9:31:44 PM
The fine NRL careers of both Trent Barrett and Luke Covell have finished in disappointment, with the Cronulla Sharks suffering a hefty 50-12 loss to Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday night.
The Sharks were well below their best following the highs of last week's stunning 30-16 upset win over the top-four Gold Coast Titans in a match that was heavily promoted as Barrett and Covell's final Toyota Stadium appearance.
Errors played a major role in the Sharks receiving just 38 percent of possession in the first half as the rampant Panthers raced out to a virtually unassailable 28-6 lead at the break.
Things barely improved on the scoreboard for the Sharks in the second half, but they did produce the highlight of the match thanks to a spectacular 92m solo try by boom full-back Nathan Gardner in the 59th minute.
The Sharks finish the season in 14th position, but with new coach Shane Flanagan now with some NRL experience under his belt and some astute buys in place, next season is looking promising for Shire club.
The match saw the NRL debut of young Cronulla forward Trent Grubb and the 21-year-old local junior performed admirably during his time on the field, particularly in defence.
An early handling error by the Sharks put the Panthers in good field position for the opening try; half-back Wade Graham and forward Nathan Smith combining well to send rampaging second-rower Frank Pritchard over for the first of his three tries in just the third minute of play.
Blake Ferguson looked to have scored a remarkable try for Cronulla in the right corner a few minutes later, but after video referee Paul Simpkins could not make a decisive call as to whether the Canberra-bound winger's right boot had touched the sideline, the decision was put back on referee Jason Robinson who ruled no try.
More bad luck at the hands of the match officials for the Sharks in the 12th minute when Penrith centre Michael Jennings was given the green light by Simpkins after looming up in support of runaway hooker Kevin Kingston who appeared to have gained possession of the ball from a strip on Nathan Gardner.
Things were looking grim for the Sharks when centre Brad Tighe (16th minute) and Pritchard (28th minute) posted further tries to blow score out to 24-0 in favour of the Panthers.
But the vistitors did hit back in the 32nd minute when an excellent cut-out Barrett ball to centre Dean Collis on the right flank sparked a raid that finished with Ferguson completed a breathtaking chip and chase try.
This rather tame contest exploded four minutes before the break in the form of a brawl that saw Sharks second-rower Grant Millington and Panthers interchange hooker Masada Iosefa banished to the bin for 10 minutes.
A runaway Jennings try soon after allowed the Panthers to take their 28-6 lead into the break.
Cronulla fans wouldn't have been too disheartened by the superb individual grubber and chase try to Wade Graham just after the resumption, considering the talented Penrith junior is on his way to the Shire for next season and beyond.
They were definitely cheering just before the hour mark though when Gardner revisited his blistering length-of-the-field effort against the Roosters from earlier in the season with another attacking stunner.
The rookie-of-the-year candidate fielded a kick from 92m out then galloped away to leave the Panthers defence in his wake.
The Panthers bagged another three tries to finish comprehensive winners and conclude the premiership rounds in second spot on the ladder.
Cronulla Sharks 12
Tries: Ferguson, Gardner
Conversions: Covell 2
Penrith Panthers 50
Tries: Pritchard 3, Jennings 2, Tighe 2, Graham, Smith
Conversions: Gordon 7
