Sharks hit form to earn fine away win

It was another positive afternoon for the Sharks as they added another two points to their season tally with a comfortable away win.

The Sharks withstood early Elland pressure and almost took the lead when Tom Ripley stole the ball and burst away. Sam Ottewell was in support but unable to gather the pass from his teammate.

The Sharks took the lead soon after as Ripley scored his second try in as many matches.

A lovely flowing move from right to left gave Ripley the space and he dummied the oncoming tackler to score. Danny Flowers was on his usual kicking duties and added the extras with a great kick from the touchline.

Shaw Cross remained in the ascendency and doubled their lead almost straight from the restart. A clever pass from Brandan French found Ottewell who exploited the gap and ran 20 metres to score between the posts.

The visitors continued to dominate proceedings and kept their composure as they went about seeking to extend their advantage.

Elland replied with a try of their own as they found space on the left and a quick passing move out to the winger saw him touch down.

The Sharks extended their lead on the stroke of half-time. Elland received a sin bin for a high challenge and Will Gledhill took advantage of the extra man when he gathered a loose ball and side stepped the opposition defender to score.

Flowers landed his third conversion of the game to give the Sharks a 14-point lead at half-time.

Shaw Cross continued to dominate and were rewarded with a Ross Roebuck try.

Another quick passing move from Sharks saw Roebuck brilliantly dive over the line to increase the advantage.

The game turned scrappy and there were several stoppages with players from both sides picking up injuries.

Flowers was brought off by coach Brett Turner as a pre-cautionary measure and Gledhill looked to have picked up a serious injury but was able to return to the action.

Shaw Cross scored a fifth try on the hour when Ripley intercepted a pass and ran 70 metres to score in the corner.

Gledhill added a sixth as he intercepted the ball and also ran 70 metres to score and put Sharks out of sight.

Elland added a consolation try with five minutes remaining when a quick passing move from a scrum saw them power over to score.

Sharks went close to a seventh try but French was unable to find the supporting Roebuck in what proved to be one of the last actions of the game as the full-time whistle signalled two more points for the Sharks.

Turner is keen for his players to keep the momentum going as they prepare for the visit of top of the table Oulton Raiders in two weeks’ time.