Sharks all about ‘vibe’
Barba the star as side piles on points against Brothers
All eyes were on MossmanPort Douglas’s marquee recruit but it was two speedsters who made the difference with doubles in the Sharks’ 40-20 win against Brothers at Stan Williams Park.
In their first clash since Brothers bested MossmanPort Douglas in last year’s grand final, the home side threatened to put the Sharks to the sword after early errors gifted the Brethren with quality ball and field position.
But the vibe which captaincoach Davin Crampton described before kick-off flowed into the contest, as the Sharks not only repelled Brothers’ onslaught but turned defence into attack with ease.
“Even in the sheds, you had that feeling they prepared well,” Crampton said.
“The vibe, they were switched on.
“It was a big effort by the boys in the middle, we know they have a big pack so we knew if we hunted as a team we’d get the job done.
“We stuck to our processes and came away with it.”
Former Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba was at his scheming best for the Sharks, constantly proving a threat as he found space and put his teammates into gaps at will.
While Barba attracted plenty of attention, Lewis Mene showcased his power, strength and speed as he grabbed a double, and improved his strike rate to five tries in just two appearances in the FNQRL.
The lethal left edge of Barba, Noel Underwood, Budhagi Gibuma and Mene was dangerous, punching holes in the defence at will.
Mossman-Port Douglas led 24-0 before Brothers struck via winger Izac Cygler just before the break.
Brothers were back into the contest just halftime after an eight-point try was awarded after a Sharks defender used their knees in an attempt to stop Tom Spark from crossing.
Spark touched down under the black dot, giving Falcon Peni two conversion attempts from right in front.
A quickfire Bronson Ryan double, in his first game for Brothers since moving from the Sharks, brought the Brethren within 10 points with just under 20 minutes to play, but a try to veteran Underwood put the target beyond reach.
Mene extended the margin to 20 points with a try in the final minute.
Brothers coach Jordan Biondi-Odo lamented his side’s performance, as a poor first half proved costly.
“The first half we were thereabouts but we were a different team in the second half,” Biondi-Odo said.
“Even though we’re down by 20-odd we can get ourselves back into the game and compete. That’s handy to know, as bad as we played.”