Paulissen Puts Wind Up Sharks

Illawarra Mercury

Monday June 16, 2008

By MICHAEL COX

A FIRST-HALF double to captain Damien Paulissen has helped Warilla to a 24-14 win over the Shellharbour Sharks in a scrappy Group Seven derby at Ron Costello Oval.

Running into a strong breeze and trailing 10-6 in the first half, Paulissen turned the match with a try against the run of play.

The Warilla front-rower produced a one-on-one strip close to the Sharks line in the 30th minute and scored to take a 12-10 at the break.

Given that the Gorillas were running into a strong headwind in the first stanza it was always going to be tough for the Sharks to fight back.

Warilla played smart, simple football in the second half, kicking long and taking advantage of the deteriorating conditions.

The win means the Gorillas leapfrog Shellharbour into equal second on the Group Seven ladder.

Winning coach Peter Hooper praised his sides committed defensive performance.

"Defensively, the first 40 minutes won us the game, going into the break in front after running into a southerly gale like that," Hooper said.

"To grab that try near half-time was a real bonus and then we just kicked and kicked and kicked, and turned them around in the second."

The Sharks needed to do more with the breeze in the first half but even then Shellharbour coach Allan Carroll conceded Warilla had simply "wanted it more".

"We didn't play well enough, we didn't play with the passion they played with," Carroll said.

"We talked about it in the sheds and then we got outside and didn't do anything about it."

He agreed the heady steal by Paulissen nearing half-time was crucial.

"We didn't take advantage of the strong wind, of course and they got a one-on-one strip, which was a vital six points."

"(After the break) we were just chasing our tails ... we just couldn't re-group."

Shellharbour were battling uphill in the second half but still managed to pull within six points with two minutes remaining when Aaron Carney crossed for his second try out wide.

Warilla sealed the match though when Beau Henry scooped on an ineffective line drop-out to score from close range.

In yesterday's other match, Milton-Ulladulla scored 11 tries in their 66-28 crushing of Batemans Bay 66-28 at Mollymook Oval.

Bulldogs Mark Laws, Thomas Cook and Mick Blattner scored doubles while Mitch Cummings scored two tries for the Bay.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home