UPDATE:
BEN Barba could be fit to play for Cronulla Sharks against South Sydney next Monday night at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware.
Playing off the bench at fullback in Friday night’s 22-6 win over Newcastle at Remondis Stadium, Barba, with a leg injury, was helped off by the trainers late in the match.
The win — which broke a 10-match home game losing streak for the Sharks — was their second win on the trot this season.
Barba, back from a two-week suspension, came into the game after 38 minutes and scored a try, backing up on the blindside in the second half.
Scans revealed the knee injury is not as bad as thought originally and Barba could play against the defending premiers, Souths, for the 7pm kick-off on Monday, April 20.
However, the news is not so good for interchange forward David Fifta who has a fractured fibula and is out for an estimated 4-6 weeks.
His twin brother Andrew, who had a mighty game in attack and defence, was placed on report for a dangerous throw tackle on Newcastle’s hooker Adam Clysdale.
He is expected to be charged by the NRL judiciary match review committee.
Five-eighth Jack Bird, who was prominent again, scored a try and was strong in defence.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will have second-rower Jayson Bukuya available for selection after he came through unscathed in Newtown’s NSW Cup win over Norths on Sunday; Newtown are the Sharks feeder club.
Bukuya missed the win over Sydney Roosters because of concussion.
Cronulla 22 (Jack Bird, Luke Lewis, Ben Barba, Chris Heighington tries, Michael Gordon 2, Valentine Holmes goals) d Newcastle Knights 6. Crowd: 10,057.
FRIDAY STORY:
Cronulla Sharks won their first home game since May last year defeating Newcastle 22-6 on Friday night at Remondis Stadium.
The last time they won at home was against Penrith.
In between, the Sharks had lost 10 games straight.
In wet and drizzly conditions for most of the game, the Sharks made it two wins in succession after losing their opening four games this season.
In a blow for Ben Barba he was replaced in the final four minutes of the game with an ankle injury.
He came off the bench at fullback in the 38th minute to play fullback and scored a try early in the second half and moved well at times in attack on a wet field.
The Sharks led 12-2 at halftime through tries to Jack Bird and Luke Lewis.
Bird who had a fine debut at five-eighth against the Roosters last week, instigated his own try in the first half swooping on a loose ball before sending centre Ricky Leutele down the touch line before backing up on the inside to score.
At full-time proud Sharks fans sang together and clapped and cheered loudly having watched the victory over the Knights.
