Sharks honour Gal in style

CRONULLA have put on a show for skipper Paul Gallen’s club record 329th match, beating North Queensland 42-16 to make up for an otherwise disappointing night for the milestone man.

Gallen left the field late in the first half with a suspected rib injury and did not return, but he moved one game ahead of Sharks great Andrew Ettingshausen’s mark of 328 first-grade appearances.

Even without him, the Sharks’ pack had the upper hand.

The hosts began last night’s game in Townsville without star lock Jason Taumalolo and it showed after a second-half blitz from Cronulla. The Sharks marched the Cowboys upfield at will, finishing the match with 30 tackle busts to 12.

The visitors began strongly and turned their possession and pressure advantage into the game’s first try, halfback Chad Townsend reaching out after receiving a perfect Gallen offload close to the line.

But as the possession turned, so did the game.

Cowboys utility forward John Asiata showed impressive footwork to break through the Cronulla line, before captain Michael Morgan threw an inside pass to prop Jordan McLean who crashed through the Sharks defenders.

The Cowboys led shortly after when Sosaia Feki bungled a Te Maire Martin grubber, allowing the North Queensland fullback to pounce on his own kick.

But whatever Cronulla coach John Morris said at halftime had an immediate impact as the Sharks returned a different side, shocking the Cowboys with 30 unanswered points. Sharks 42 (C Townsend 2, J Morris 2, B Nikora, J Dugan, B Brailey tries; S Johnson 7 goals) defeated Cowboys 16 (J McLean, T Martin, G Cooper tries; J Kahu 2 goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium.