NQD 26 CRO 24: Lillyman on report as Sharks comeback thwarted
Four tries in eighteen minutes weren’t enough for the Sharks, as North Queensland escaped with a 26-24 win in Townsville, with Queensland Origin forward Jacob Lillyman on report.
Lillyman collected Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley with a late tackle after a kick, possibly with an elbow. Any suspension would rule Lillyman out of Origin II on June 13. Cowboys coach Graham Murray is in the rather awkward position of defending a player who may be an opponent in ten days: “He certainly didn’t create havoc for Kimmorley. Brett was lying there pulling his socks up and having a giggle, so he’s hardly being put out for 6 weeks, is he?” said Murray.
The Cowboys opened the scoring via a try to Neil Sweeney in the thirteenth minute, with tries to Scott Minto and Matthew Scott giving the Cowboys a seemingly unassailable 16-nil lead, before Ben Pomeroy crossed on the half time siren to give the Sharks a sniff.
Cronulla dominated the next period, with hooker Isaac De Gois scoring, before a stunning double from Greg Bird gave the Sharks a 24-16 lead and New South Wales selectors plenty of food for thought.
Cowboys winger Ty Williams put his side back in touch thanks to superb cut out pass from Jason Smith with sixteen minutes remaining. The Sharks held firm until Smith set up Williams again, this time with a carefully placed grubber in the 78th minute.
“We’re getting to good leads, and 4 times we’ve lost games at the back end”
Despite the loss, Brett Kimmorley was close to the Sharks best, improving his chances of being selected at halfback for New South Wales. “Noddy I thought had one of his best games”, Stuart said.
North Qld 26 (Tries: Williams 63,77; Sweeney 13; Minto 31; Scott 36. Goals: Thurston 3/5)
Cronulla 24 (Tries: Pomeroy 39; De Gois 49; Bird 53,58. Goals: Covell 4/4)
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