Sharks show teeth in fine Warriors victory

Both teams were missing a number of regular players but produced an entertaining game in which the Sharks proved the more inventive.

Warriors’ plight was not helped by a series of injuries. Prop Liam Gale, who stood in as captain in the absence of Caldon Bravo, had a fine game until he was forced off injured after 25 minutes.

Luke Powell, taking over Bravo’s position at loose forward, also had an excellent game until he hobbled off with a hamstring injury.

The pattern of the game was set after two minutes when Sharks full-back Sam Ottewell created a gap to score for the home team.

That lead was extended only seven minutes later when second row Benjamin Spaven barged over the line.

Warriors powered their way back into the game as stand-in captain prop Liam Gale, full-back Richard Wheelhouse and hooker Craig Hickinson probed for openings.

A passing move resulted in loose forward Luke Powell crossing for the visitors with Warriors’ man of the match Jordan Gale converting.

However, the Sharks added to their lead as centre Robbie Byatt touched-down and brother Matthew converted to send the home side into half-time with a 14-6 lead.

Warriors attempted to force their way back into the game but it was the Sharks who increased their lead as man of the match, scrum-half Jordan Anderson, took advantage of a gap in the Warriors defence to cross. Byatt added the conversion.

Five minutes later a well-worked move, resulted in centre Brandon French scoring out wide to increase the Sharks lead to 24-6.

Experienced Warriors prop Paul Sebine reduced the arrears when he forced his way over from short range but Shaw Cross went on to score three more tries through Robbie Byatt, Jordan Anderson and Jack Gledhill, with Byatt converting one.