Sharks 4 Broncos 20
Brisbane's big guns were in good firing order as the Broncos gained a hard-earned but flattering win over the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney last night.
Origin stars Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday played key roles as the Broncos continued their revival with a three tries to one win.
Lockyer scored one try, through fine support, and set up the second with a perfectly-placed cross-kick, Folau ran powerfully on the right wing and Thaiday was in the thick of the forward battle.
Other Broncos to impress were fullback Josh Hoffman, halfback Peter Wallace and Matt Gillett.
Cronulla were in the game throughout but were denied by their own errors. Their best were backs Trent Barrett and Isaac Gordon and forwards Luke Douglas, Anthony Tupou and Paul Gallen.
There was little in this tight, wet-weather contest but the ability of Lockyer and company to capitalise on their chances was the difference. The Sharks were left to reflect on a result which produced no justice for all their endeavour.
It had been an eventful week for the Sharks, in 15th place, after their win against Parramatta and the news their coach, Ricky Stuart, was leaving at the end of the season.
Folau, Lockyer and Thaiday backed up from Origin duty for the Broncos who beat the Titans at their last start and started the round in 10th place.
The Broncos had hammered the Sharks by a record 44-16 in Brisbane in their previous meeting this year and were favourites despite playing away.
This time there was no score in the first quarter in the rain and on the slippery surface, though the Sharks wasted a fine line bust by Tupou by kicking away possession.
Corey Parker broke the stalemate when he kicked a disputed penalty for the Broncos after 29 minutes.
Barrett made a great kick and regather for the Sharks but, with the Broncos defence in disarray, the Sharks turned over the ball with an inaccurate kick.
The first half seemed destined to be tryless until the Broncos struck with time up. Lockyer left-footed a pin-point cross-field bomb which Folau gathered and wrestled over in several tackles for his 11th try of the season.
The Sharks had an edge in territory in the first half and would have been at least on even terms had they taken their chances. They started strongly in the second spell but the first try, after 10 minutes, was scored by the Broncos.
Fullback Hoffman made a blistering break through the centre and Lockyer was in support to take the in-pass and score. Parker's conversion made it 12-0.
The Sharks had to be next to score, and they did, Taulima Taufai crashing over after Luke Douglas cleverly kept the ball alive.
Parker made the game safe for the Broncos when he kicked his second penalty four minutes from the end and Antonio Winterstein scored the third try just before the final hooter.
Sharks 4 (T. Taufai try) Broncos 14 (I. Folau, D. Lockyer, A. Winterstein tries, C. Parker 4 goals). Halftime: 6-0.
