Sharks’ defence held strong in a tight top of the table clash against Darwin Brothers

Sharks dominate in a top of the table clash against Darwin Brothers. See all the action from the weekend here:

A LATE of flurry of tries saw Northern Sharks storm to a 26-6 win in an otherwise tight top of the table clash against Darwin Brothers in Round 14 of the NRL NT A-Grade competition.

It was Brothers, in their Humpty Dumpty Foundation jerseys, who set the standard early on putting in heavy tackles in defence to set their rivals back.

Xavier Grant showed his footy skills winning the early high ball contests, while captain Isaac Sedan-Kurnoth, Lachlan Braun and Caleb Niki put the pressure on in attack.

But an early injury to half Jye Fong proved a massive setback for the side who were unable to break through their opposition’s defence.

It was instead the reigning premiers Sharks who sealed the opener with Robert Rotaru-Temeamea charging through a gap to put a try under the posts.

And on the opposite end of the field it was the Sharks defence which held strong withstanding blow after blow to hold a slender 6-0 lead at half time.

The top of the table clash held tight for much of the second half as well, with Brothers putting in digs where they could.

Sharks' Lachie Wright is chased down by Darwin Brothers’ Antonio James in the Humpty Dumpty Foundation round of 2022 NRLNT season. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

But it was Sharks who climbed further ahead with a break from Mitch Burke and a long skip pass from Damien Mick sending stand-in captain Lachie Wright over for a try.

Once again Burke and Mick worked in tandem to put full back Caleb Smith through and the gap grew wider as their opposition tired.

A nasty bounce from a long range kick slipped by Brothers’ full back Antonio James allowing Sharks’ speedster Cooper Segeyaro to swoop in and dot down a try of his own.

David Munro charged another over with Brothers’ Nathan Wilson on his leg.

Sharks' Mitch Burke plays against Darwin Brothers in the Humpty Dumpty Foundation round of 2022 NRLNT season. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Brothers were able to add a consolation try to avoid the whitewash at the death threw the busy Hayden Riggs feeding off a Wilson break, but it was not enough to put one over the premiers.

“There was a bit of fatigue in the back end but the boys just kept backing up and we got a few lucky breaks and some long distance tries out of that,” Wright said.

“We just stuck to our guns. We noticed they were buggered, we were buggered, but they were more buggered than us and we knew we just needed to stop giving them piggybacks out of their half.

“Fitness is first and foremost for us, and we have a good depth in players which helps a lot when players are injured or away.

“Then defence is a main focus for us. That’s what we go into every game looking to do, win the game early and score the points late.”

Brothers women flex their muscles ahead of finals in special round

THE Darwin Brothers women remain undefeated after demolishing a depleted Northern Sharks 48-0 in a special Humpty Dumpty Foundation round 14 in the NRL NT Women’s Competition.

The Brothers women have yet to drop a game all season and with a bye coming up in Round 15 this was a final tune-up for the season favourites ahead of finals.

They brought the intensity right away with powerful carries from Cassiela Wapau and Elisa Niki setting the tone, and it was a crashing run from Wapau which sealed the opening try.

Ivana Schober and Calista Boyd were also lethal on the run and the territory gained from their runners paid dividends every time.

Janna Ransome was next to cross the line snapping up a cross field kick from Leeanne Allia, while captain Bianca Scrymgour dived over to secure the next try.

Darwin Brothers' Womens Bianca Scrymgour scores against Sharks in the Humpty Dumpty Foundation round of 2022 NRLNT season. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Schober finished the half with a try and the dominance continued into the second with an evasive run from Ransome put Boyd through for a score.

The tries piled on in the second half with Brothers finding their rhythm in attack running through a tired defence and soon Ilisapeci Bari had a brace while Taylah Garling and Tyla Kingdon had a try each.

“This was our last game until finals so it was good to finish off the regular season with a win,” Scrymgour

“We started off a bit slow, we went away from our game plan a bit, but come the second half we tidied that up and just kept rolling from there.”

Darwin Brothers dedicated the round to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, a cause very close to the club after the organisation played a key role in saving the life of one of their own.

Moses Wigness Jr, Scrymgour’s godson, was born with a life-threatening congenital heart defect, which required urgent surgery.

Moses Wigness Jr at the Humpty Dumpty Foundation round of 2022 NRLNT season. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

It was a transport incubator, donated by the foundation, that saved his life and the Brothers dedicated their round and jerseys to the cause.

“Moses is my actual godson. The first couple of years of his life were obviously a very difficult time for him, his parents and his family,” she said.

“And to be able to back something that saved his life and see him running around rugby not only makes you proud, but it’s also very emotional and very significant for us.”

Originally published as Sharks’ defence held strong in a tight top of the table clash against Darwin Brothers