NRL: Sharks snap three-match losing streak in style
The Cronulla Sharks have broken a three-match losing streak in emphatic fashion, trouncing the Wests Tigers 58-6 at PointsBet Stadium in Sydney on Friday evening.
Cronulla ran in 10 tries to one in the procession, with Ronaldo Mulitalo bagging a hattrick and Sione Katoa picking up a brace.
Ahead of the clash, the Sharks had lost tight matches against the Gold Coast Titans, Canterbury Bulldogs and Dolphins.
Now, with their first win since early June, Cronulla solidify their position in the NRL’s top four, sitting equal with the Sydney Roosters on 26 points.
Big returns for Cronulla faithful
Those who had backed the Sharks to win big against the Tigers would have received a healthy pay day on Friday.
The club were favourites with leading sports bookmakers to win outright at $1.44. However, a bet on Cronulla to win by 13+ generated $2.40, while they were $1.90 to cover a 7.5 handicap.
Each of these bets paid in style, as the Sharks put on a clinic.
The scoring began just two minutes into the contest by way of Kayal Iro crossing.
The Wests Tigers struck back soon after through Solomona Faataape, giving the illusion that this clash could be something of a contest.
That was the only time Wests would bother the scoreboard, however, going the next 70 minutes without adding to their tally.
The Sharks would run in 18 more points across the first half before piling on five tries in the second half to cross the 50-point mark for the first time this season.
Benji Marshall disgusted at his side’s performance
Coach Benji Marshall could barely hide his disgust in his post-match press conference, berating his side’s effort on Friday.
“When you take the field, you’ve got to choose the right attitude, and tonight they ran harder and tackled way harder than us and it showed on the scoreboard.
“We haven’t seen that lack of attitude all year.
“If it was a weekly occurrence then I’d probably know more, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it this year.
“When you take the field, you’ve got to take the right attitude with how hard you want to tackle and how hard you want to run.
“They ran harder and tackled harder than us and had way more energy than us.”
The ex-NRL star even went as far as apologising to fans for the team’s poor performance.
The Tigers are now firm favourites to finish bottom of the table this season according to NRL bookmakers.
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