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Sharks bite back

17/04/2004 08:20:23 PM Comments (0)

Halfback Brett Kimmorley gave Test selectors a not so subtle reminder by inspiring Cronulla to a gutsy 38-24 upset win over Canberra at Toyota Park on Saturday night.

The incumbent Test half has been under pressure from Penrith's Craig Gower to hold his place for the April 23 clash against New Zealand after Cronulla slumped to the bottom of the ladder (1-4 record).

Besides successive disappointing losses to Souths and the Cowboys, the Sharks had also endured bad press over a 10 week suspension to pivot Greg Bird and another one week ban on new recruit Nigel Vagana.

To add to their anxiety, Canberra was the "Road Warriors" of the NRL, armed with an 80 per cent winning rate on the road for 2003-04 before Saturday night.

But Toyota Park has been a graveyard for the Raiders with last season's victory over the Sharks at Cronulla their first in a decade - and Kimmorley ensured it stayed that way.

Kimmorley had a hand in three of the Sharks' six tries and kicked seven goals to inspire a gutsy win that put Cronulla's season back on track.

In contrast, Canberra fullback and Test hopeful Clinton Schifcofske - who needed just six points to be one of only 20 players to have notched 1200 career points - had a shocking night with the boot, kicking just two from seven.

The Sharks led 24-12 at halftime and just two minutes into the second stanza, Kimmorley dummied and set up winger David Simmons to score in the right corner then converted to blow the score out to 30-12.

To make matters worse for the Raiders, Ruben Wiki was reported for a 52nd minute high shot on Jason Stevens, placing him in doubt for the Kiwi side to take on Australia on April 23.

Kimmorley nailed the easiest of penalties to make it 32-12 and the Sharks were cruising.

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