Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoCronk Cranks It Up!
September 27th 2008 01:31
Category: No Category
Cooper Cronk played an instrumental role against the Sharks
The early encounters were tough but when Cronk busted through the line in the 3rd minute to set up a try for Steve Turner the signs were ominous. It was a perfectly timed kick from Cronk which sat up right before the line for a flying Turner to gather and dive over in the corner. This early blow to the Sharks did nothing to help settle the nerves.
Cronulla were shifting the ball from side-to-side and were never able to penetrate the Storm defence. Their ball control in the first 30 minutes also let them down as they struggled to find their rhythm after a week off.
The pressure was increased when Israel Folau (24) was on the end of a no-look pass from Cronk close to the line. He carried three defenders over and placed the ball down to give the Storm a ten point buffer.
Ten minutes later hard-htting subsitute Adam Blair showed some fancy footwork to weave through some weak Cronulla defence. Even though it seemed that the Sharks were still in the game they went in to the break 16 points down.
The Storm were out on their feet when Cronk once again stepped up and found the in goal area from a kick deep within his own half. Cronulla got the ball back but it was the break the Storm needed to re-energise and prepare their assault on the last 20 minutes.
With the Sharks tired and discouraged, entered Billy Slater. After a quiet start to the game Slater erupted to make a line break and set up two tries. The first coming in the 64th minute when the classy fullback threw a beautiful pass to Steve Turner to give him a double. The second came when he busted the line and unselfishly passed the ball inside to the retiring Matt Geyer with seven minutes to go.
In what was expected to be a close encounter ended up being a blow out 28-0 victory to the Storm. With three international players sitting on the sideline, Cronk's men lifted to give them a chance at consecutive premierships. A group of superstar individuals showed their class as a team.
Tonight sees the Sea Eagles up against the Warriors in what is shaping as a huge clash of the forwards. Can Steve 'Beaver' Menzies end on a winning note or will Ruben Wiki retire as King of New Zealand?
Adam Bailey
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