Sharks defeated in ill-tempered Conference clash

Shaw Cross Sharks suffered a 36-8 defeat at Normanton Knights in National Conference Division One last Saturday.
Shaw Cross Sharks suffered defeat in the National Conference LeagueShaw Cross Sharks suffered defeat in the National Conference League
Shaw Cross Sharks suffered defeat in the National Conference League

It was a fiercely contested game with a mass brawl mid-way through the second half resulting in three red cards being shown and several other players involved lucky to remain on the field.

Normanton had two players sent off but the Sharks were unable to take advantage of the extra man and struggled to get a foothold on the game.

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Early Knights pressure resulted in their full-back dummying through to score.

Shaw Cross did respond well as Ross Roebuck continued his good scoring run with his seventh try of the season, near the corner, following a clever pass by Will Carlos.

Sam Ottewell pounced on a loose ball and burst towards the try line but the referee called the play back for a knock on.

It was Normanton who got the next try of the game. A swift passing move gave the winger just enough space to get in at the corner despite Chalkley’s efforts to stop him.

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The home side extended their lead on the stroke of half-time as the full-back got his second try of the game.

Ten minutes into the second half Normanton increased their advantage as they ploughed over near the posts.

Soon after, Andy Burland was caught with an elbow on the ground. The Sharks players didn’t take too kindly to the hit and a fight broke out.

When calm was restored, Burland and two of the Knights players were sent off but Cross were unable to make the most of the extra man.

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Roebuck had a try disallowed as he got on the end of a grubber kick before Normanton pulled clear with three tries in quick succession.

The ball was twice moved out wide for the winger to score in the corner and when Shaw Cross knocked on, Normanton kicked the ball towards the try line and it bounced kindly for the second rower to gratefully gather and score.

The Sharks continued to work hard and Chalkley grabbed a consolation as he received the ball on the right and drove over near the corner flag.

Sharks lie 12th in the table but Brett Turner’s side will be aiming to return to winning ways when they go in search of a fourth success of the campaign away to Featherstone Lions tonight (Thursday), kick off 7pm.