Stuart Mills crosses for a great 55 meter try (Photo's : ourfooty media) | SG BALL | MATTY'S |

The Cronulla Sharks burst through for their first win of the season today with an outstanding display of team football to smash the WSAS by 44 points today at Blaxland Oval

After 2 draws and a lose, the Cronulla Sharks finally got 2 points and played with ferious intent today to dominate their round 4 clash against the Western Sydney Academy of Sport.

The Harold Matthews & SG Ball Cup teams play St. George next week with players in both squads super keen to play against their mates from school in this local derby, then in 2 weeks the Sharks get to play at the brand new Toyota Park in their first 'real' home game of the year.

SG BALL Cronulla 50 - 4 WSAS - MATTHEWS CUP Cronulla 14 - 18 WSAS

Sharks' Steve Berkley attacks

Sam Clune Sharks half on his way to 2 tries

Joel Tubbs Charging up Kirkham Field

Sam Clune dives in for a try (Photo's : ourfooty media)

UNDER 15's Photo's later today or not

Story & Photo's :

The 2008 NSWRL Matthews Cup kicked off with great excitment today when the South West Sydney Academy of Sports hosted the Cronulla Sharks at Kirkham Field.

A crowd of a few hundred saw a tight opening 15 minutes with both sets of forwards making up for five months with out footy.

It was great to see Rugby League played again.

Kirkham Field is also home to the local Rams who were having their sign up day, what a great day to get your club together, sign up with your teammates and get to see the opening Matthews Cup Game for the season.

In the Opening game, the SWSAS took on the Cronulla Junior League Development Under 15's in a tough game of good footy, the Academy boyz out scored the Sharks this time which is a good come back from the game last year at Endeavour Field next to Sharks Park at Cronulla.

The Academy managed to put on 6 tries to the Sharks 2 tries, as with all development games that is not the important thing in these games, it's to develop our junior club players.

The Cronulla lads will learn from today's game s as will the Academy squad, many guys on both teams had good games, well done to all. Reece Davidson's try was a beauty that comes to memory at 2 am.

The Sharks crossed the line when Sam Clune ran straight over from about 10 meters out for the first score of the season.

From the kick off the Sharks forwards led by big Joel Tubbs had the Sharks up to the Academy's 40, a slight fumble the academy had the ball only to kick it back the the Sharks, who just kept on attacking until they when over again thanks to some tricky running by the winger in the right corner.

SWSAS scored when their fullback made a mad dash and scored under the black dot, the kick was a good one, then they were in again to make the score 12 all at half time.

Cronulla came out after the break and continued on from the first half with Steve Lemone and his pack barged their way up the field to force the scores to grab their pencils again.

As the light faded and the Kirkham Field light came on the Shark attack continued with some good defence and great attacking play the Cronulla Sharks took the two points home with a good first up score of 34 - 12

SCORERS : Sam Clune 2, Zac Rassmussen, Paul McClory, Joel Tubbs, Steven Berkley, Dane Rogers tries, Clune 4 goals MATTHEWS CUP MATCH REPORT

The Sharks SG Ball side traveled to the Gold Coast to come away with a 30 - all draw, the Sharks first half was a shocker and the second half was very good to bring the Sharks back into the game. SG BALL MATCH REPORT

In other junior rep's news the Bulldogs SG Ball team flogged the North Sydney Bears 50 to 4 with help of a three try haul to young Jamal.

The Bulldogs Matty's Cup boyz were lucky to get away with a 22 - all draw after some lackluster performances.

UNDER 15's

8 - 24 Venue : Kirkham Park, Camden KICK OFF : 5:30 PM (no conversions)

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

34 - 12 Venue : Kirkham Park, Camden KICK OFF : 7:00 PM

The Cronulla Sharks will be attacking the SWS Academy on Saturday out at Camden.

Joel Tubbs

Story & Photo By : Luke Horton

The 16-year-old stands taller than 190cm, weighs close to 100kg and, perhaps unsurprisingly, is one of the most talented junior league footballers to have ever come out of Coffs Harbour.

On Sunday, Joel will travel to Sydney where he will spend the next two years refining his football skills with the Cronulla Sharks.

Talent spotted in the final of the NSW Zone Championships at Dubbo late last year, Joel was approached by no fewer than eight NRL clubs keen to have the youngster on their playing roster.

“I was playing in Dubbo and all these clubs approached my manager Wayne Griffith,” Joel said.

“Cronulla had the best offer, a two-year contract and a scholarship to Endeavour Sports High.”

While it’s not the club Joel would have picked if given the choice of all 16 NRL teams (Tubbs is a loyal Raiders supporter), the decision to move out of home and into unfamiliar surroundings was made easier through the support of his childhood club Orara.

“We found a place for him to stay through the Tomahawk’s secretary,” Joel’s mum Cathy said.

“We knew he had it when he started, his father wanted him to stay in his age group and it seems to have paid off.

“We’re very proud of him and extremely grateful for the support he’s received from Orara.”

Joel has played with Orara since the under sevens, forging a reputation as a fearsome ball-runner and defender playing in his chosen position of either second row or prop.

At 15, he was the youngest ever player selected in the North Coast Academy squad, but will unfortunately miss the representative season due to his commitments with the Sharks.

Instead, Joel will be playing in the Harold Matthews competition, with an aim to play SG Ball before the year is out.

“I’ll miss playing with the Tomahawks and I’ll miss my mates, but it was an opportunity too good to pass up,” he said.

Jeremiah Walters (2nd from left top) arrives in Sydney with the Australian Schoolboys & Sharks NYC Training (Photo : ourfooty media)

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ourfootyteam.com would like to wish Jeremiah Walters all the best on the Gold Coast this year.

The former Cronulla Jersey Flegg and 2006 Australia Schoolboys star had to leave the Sharks to go home and help look after his sick dad.