Roos flawless at Shark Park
The Queanbeyan Kangaroos secured a dominant 38-20 win over the Belconnen United Sharks in a washout round replay on Saturday afternoon at NSWRL HQ Bruce.
Shark Park was filled with excitement Saturday afternoon to watch the top four contest between the third-placed Roos and the fourth-placed Sharks.
The clash was back-and-forth to start, as both teams showcased their defensive prowess.
The Sharks were dangerously close to crossing in the left edge on multiple occasions, but were unable to get past the Roo’s defensive line.
10 minutes in, a Sharks penalty gifted the Roos valuable metres, which they capitalised on as five-eighth Lachlan Bristow crossed to score the first try of the day.
Roo’s captain-coach Sam Williams successfully added the extras, bringing the score to 6-nil.
Sharks were quick to respond as prop Robert Aratangi made the break and planted the ball between the goal posts.
Halfback Sam Chapman successfully converted, evening out the margin to 6-all.
Both teams continued to play set for set, until the 30th minute when winger Thomas Williams made a stunning break, setting the stage for fullback Jack Sandford to dive over the line for a crucial try.
The Roo’s built off of this momentum as Jaxen Yow crossed to plant the ball next to the goal posts.
Minutes later, second-rower Jesse Dent made a strong run, gaining valuable meters for the Roos. Dent passed to Yow, who skillfully offloaded to Bristow, allowing him to score his second try of the day.
Sam Williams kicking game was on fire, he successfully converting all tries, bringing the score to 24-6 as both teams headed into the sheds.
Both sides came into the second half determined, but the Sharks were unable to close the gap.
The Roo’s were quick to set up a trick play, opening the gates for winger Rob Sheffield to score in the corner.
Ill-discipline from the Sharks gifted the Roos back-to-back penalty kicks, successfully executed by Williams, extending the Roos lead to 32-6.
Roo’s Adam Barlow capitalised off of this momentum, as he broke through to score the Roo’s final try of the day.
The Sharks answered through winger Connor Massen and skipper Matthew Woolnough as they scored a consolation tries in the left edge, tightening the margin to 38-16.
With seconds remaining in the game, Massen broke through on the left edge, passing to Tristan Eldridge who scored as the final whistle blew. With an unsuccessful conversion, the final score of the day came to 38-20.
The Sharks will look to bounce back next week as they travel to face the Yass Magpies at Walker Park. Meanwhile, the Roos will look to build off of this win as they return home to play the Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Seears Workwear Oval.
