Eels 10 Sharks 13

THE Sharks finally got to sing the team song.

Flying … Luke Covell takes a high ball before scoring for the Sharks.
Photo: Getty Images

After nine losses, countless scandals and the knowledge that they may soon be no more, Cronulla avoided equalling their worst losing streak of 10 with a breakthrough win against Parramatta last night. It was their first win in 77 days.

Trailing for most of the game, Trent Barrett broke a 10-10 deadlock with less than five minutes remaining to finally give the Shire something to cheer about. A penalty goal by Luke Covell shortly afterwards sealed the result and raised hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.

“It’s a good feeling and I’m happy for the blokes, the young blokes, because it’s been tough times,” Barrett said afterwards.

“It’s been a very tough few months but hopefully we can win next week and get on a bit of a roll.”

It was a heart-breaking result for the Eels, who also lost Nathan Hindmarsh to an arm injury. There was some good news for the home team.

It was the first-grade debut of Daniel Mortimer. He is the son of Peter and nephew to Steve and Chris. The family has rugby league flowing through its veins and Daniel is no exception.

One major difference, however, is the choice of the blue and gold instead of the blue and white.

The Sun-Herald sidled up to Peter Mortimer moments before his son ran out for his NRL debut.

“It’s been a day we’ve seen coming for a few weeks,” he said.

“The coach has done a fabulous job and the time is right. He could have been given a chance when Brett Finch left but the team was in disarray at the time.

“Daniel Anderson decided he wasn’t ready then - he is now.

“Now he has to go and make a name for himself.”

Ah, the name. How does Daniel handle the burden of carrying the Mortimer name?

“He’s always been his own man,” Peter said.

The final piece of advice from the old man?

“There are going to be lots and lots of people coming over to give you advice,” Peter continued.

“The only advice you need to listen to comes from the coach.”

With that, Peter returned to his seat alongside older brother Steve in Bay 10 of the Ken Thornett Stand as Daniel ran out of the tunnel.

Mortimer played well and is likely to get further opportunities.

Embattled Sharks coach Ricky Stuart dropped several underperforming players - including hooker Corey Hughes and Blake Green - to the NSW Cup. The axings worked as Cronulla were finally rewarded for their perseverance in a close game.

This was a match played between a team that had lost nine straight games - and one travelling only marginally better. Both sides were missing key personnel: the Sharks were without Paul Gallen, Ben Ross, Reni Maitua, Bronx Goodwin, Brett Kearney and Brett Seymour, to name but a few. There was no Jarryd Hayne, Kris Keating, Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu or Ben Smith for the Eels.

The rain was teeming down. This was never going to be champagne football. But to the credit of both outfits their ball control was relatively sound in the opening exchanges given the surface - Parramatta didn’t make a handling error until midway through the first half.

By then they had collected their first try. Joel Reddy, shifted from pivot to centre to cover for the axed Ben Smith, was the recipient after some good hands from Mortimer, Luke Burt and Todd Lowrie.

The advantage didn’t last long. Luke Covell also showed good hands - and a spectacular leap - when he outjumped opposing winger Etu Uaisele to come down with a Scott Porter bomb over the tryline. Covell converted to give the visitors the lead.

However, they again went into the sheds behind after Burt scored off a 32nd-minute grubber from Eels No.7 Jeff Robson.

The Mortimers weren’t the only family connection at Parramatta Stadium. Eels prop Tim Mannah faced off against brother John for the first time. In one of their first exchanges, John performed a wedgie on his older sibling that Jason Stevens would have been proud of.

The second half brought rain and mistakes. Neither side could sustain any pressure. But the Sharks finally broke through and levelled the scores with a try to Mitch Brown.

Barrett did the rest and the players celebrated as if they’d won a grand final.

CRONULLA 13 (M Brown L Covell tries L Covell 2 goals T Barrett field goal) bt PARRAMATTA 10 (L Burt J Reddy tries L Burt goal) at Parramatta Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Alan Shortall. Crowd: 7,014.