Sharks show no Mercy to Saints

A glance at this seasons formsheet for both sides suggested a close encounter was likely when Sharks hit the road again this weekend and gusty conditions on the day were always going to hamper quality ball passing. With the exception of a very early setback, Gordano dominated the game from start to finish taking advantage of poor Saints tackling throughout and growing indiscipline as the scoreline mounted.

The home side started strongly and opened the scoring after only five minutes as Gordano struggled to retain possession playing into the stiff breeze. It took a well read interception and sprint from the halfway line by centre Josh Adams to redress the balance five minutes later and from then on there was only going to be one result as Sharks piled on the pressure scoring five tries in twenty minutes. Number 8 Ben Ansteads gritty drive over from 10m was shortly followed by a long run upfield by winger Ollie Povey who fed the ball across the Backs for another Adams try. Centre James Copelands lung bursting solo scoring run the full length of the pitch, Poveys team effort try in the corner and the combination of prop Dan Swaby and James Grindles (second row) drive over illustrated a full range of skills and effort throughout the team.

With the game as good as won, Sharks refused to let the game die in the second half and almost immediately winger Jamie Whitfield burst through Brendans back line shaking off their attempts to bring him down to score under the posts shortly followed by another Adams trademark scoring run. Gordano were really beginning to fire at this stage with the Forwards consistently winning turnover ball and the Backs finding great shape, speed and movement scoring another four tries in the final fifteen minutes. Fly half Ed Moss's clearance upfield was brilliantly collected by Whitfield to run in his second, full back Noah Holmes-McAdam ran through six challenges for his try, Grindle got his second off the back of a 5m ruck and finally Adams got his fourth as the game closed.

Outstanding support performances were evident throughout the side - in tricky conditions and in only his second full game at scrum half Ryan Pearch grew in confidence and ability, flanker Will Magramalis was instrumental in gaining yardage and providing attacking platforms whilst Ben Ingle fearlessly took the high balls and laid off intelligently. Copeland maintained stoic discipline in the face of intense opposition provocation because of the persistent threat he posed and Prop Hadley Stevenson-O'Shea stood in well for Flanker Sam Edwards when he was sidelined with a "friendly fire" kick in the teeth. Kicker Ed Moss kept a cool head to slot 14 points over - a superb conversion rate in the wind with two from the touchline.

This was arguably the best performance of the season given the quality of the opposition. The Shark Pack as a whole displayed good shape and technique, rarely losing ground or possession and the presence of heavyweight replacements on the touchline has been a revelation for this side which has traditionally had to rely on speed rather than strength. The pace and stamina of the back line was truly awesome and when they found space, Saints had no answers.

HT: 5-36

FT: 12-74

Scorers

Saints Tries: Ted Phillips, A. N. Other. Conv: George Kernock

Sharks Tries: Josh Adams (4), Ben Anstead, James Copeland, Ollie Povey, James Grindle (2), Jamie Whitfield (2),
Noah Holmes-Mcadam. Conv: Ed Moss (7)