Sharks end Four Year Brothers
Drought

The Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks have created the upset of the 2005 Central Queensland Extended League season so far defeating Rockhampton Brothers for the first time in four years 28-20 at Saleyards Park on Saturday, March 12.

The Sharks launched themselves out of the blocks with lock Trent Callaghan sending winger Roland Lea in the corner off a great cut out pass.

Moments later Callaghan was once again in the thick of the action pushing off four players on the way to the line to score a great try.

In the final ten minutes of the first half both sides went over for tries and the Sharks led 16-6 at the break.

Tries to Comet Squad members Tyron Haynes and Adam Geddes as well as former Sydney Rooster lower grader Trent Biles made sure Brothers started the second half in awesome fashion scoring 14 unanswered points to lead 20-16 with 15 minutes to go.

With injuries to lock Trent Callaghan and centre Wayne Buttler the Sharks had it all to do if they were to comeback and defeat their fancied rivals.

Captain and regular back rower Jimmy Dockery was forced into the centres and took it upon himself to get his side back in the contest with a great 40 metre try.

Dockery showed a great turn of pace and huge strength to fight off three players and then use a huge fend to beat off the fullback and crash over in the corner to bring the scores back to 20-all with 10 to go.

Super boot Roland Lea had to kick the conversion from the sideline to put his side two in front and did so to the delight of the parochial crowd at Saleyards Park.

The Sharks sealed the victory with another try moments later on their left side with Lea once again adding the extras to take his side to an eight point lead.

Rockhampton Brothers through everything they had at the Sharks in the final minutes but they could not break the inspiring Sharks defence led by captain-coach Rex Gamble, hooker Danny Moore and second rower Jeff Cranston.

The Sharks run out 28-20 winners to defeat Rockhampton Brothers for the first time in four years and signal their intentions as contenders in the 2005 season.

Sharks coach Rex Gamble was extremely impressed with his sides defence and said he was able to feed off the players around him to step it up a gear and push on late in the second half.

Trent Biles was Rockhampton Brothers stand out while it was hard to fault one player in the Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks line up but captain Jimmy Dockery, back rowers Trent Callaghan and Jeff Cranston, winger Roland Lea and fullback Cameron Strang all performing extremely well. All in all it was a great team effort by the Sharks.

The Sharks now have the round three bye and then the easter weekend off. They will return in round four of the CQ Extended League against Tannum Sands in Tannum on Saturday April 2.

The Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks would like to thank the following for their continued support in 2005 - DC Motors, The Cambridge Hotel, Red Lion Hotel, Arrow Property Maintenance, John Harbin, True Value Hardware and Kirsten Livermore MP.

FITZROY-GRACEMERE SHARKS 28 Tries: J.Dockery (2), R,Lea, J.Cranston, T.Callaghan Goals: R.Lea (4) defeated ROCKHAMPTON BROTHERS 20 Tries: A.Geddes (2), T.Biles, T.Haynes Goals: G.Duffy (2)

Venue: Saleyards Park, Rockhampton Date: Sat March 12 7pm Referee: Keith Hinchcliffe Half time: Sharks 16-6 First Try: Roland Lea (Sharks) Man of the Match: Cameron Strang (Sharks) Rleague Points: 3-Jimmy Dockery(Sharks) 2-Cameron Strang(Sharks) 1-Trent Biles(Brothers) Match Comments: Reserve Grade - Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks 28 defeated Rockhampton Brothers 18 Under-19s - Rockhampton Brothers 34 defeated Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks 24

Related Articles: Around The Club #1 - Fitzroy-Gracemere Sharks

Click here for the CQ Extended League round two scoring summary.

Just over 24 hours to go on the following items at Harko's Bargain Warehouse - A 2004 Canberra Raiders Club card signed by captain Simon Woolford and a signed Paul Bowman captain card with a special edition Cowboys keyring. So check out Harko's Bargain Warehouse for more and stay tuned for some more great deals in the coming weeks including Comets merchandise.