They are pioneers of women’s rugby league in the shire and on Sunday they capped off their season with a win for the ages.
Cronulla Caringbah were crowned Sydney Metropolitan Women’s Rugby League premiers after downing Greenacre 26-22 in golden point extra time at Leichhardt Oval.
After the score was locked at 22-all after normal time, a Tigers mistake early in extra time gifted the Sharks field position.
From the next set Cronulla Caringbah made Greenacre pay, creating an overlap for Kate Mullaly to break down the sideline before she found Mia Wood on the inside who crossed for the match-winning try.
Scores had been level at 10-all at half-time after Greenacre had taken the lead just after the midway point of the first half through a Cobie-Jane Morgan try.
Sharks fullback Sam Bremner brought her side level with a try from a crafty Allana Ferguson pass before the Jillaroos and NSW five-eighth put Cronulla Caringbah in front with a try of her own.
Tries to Page McGregor just before half-time and Chloe Leaupepe straight after put Greenacre in front before a Corban McGregor intercept again dragged the Sharks level.
Ferguson’s second try, after good work from Sharks’ dummy-half Kaarla Cowan, gave Cronulla Caringbah a 22-16 lead before another Greenacre try and a penalty goal again leveled the score.
Sharks prop Ruby Ewe was voted player of the match.
It has been a massive year for Cronulla Caringbah who provided a number of players, including the club’s Australian Jillaroos contingent of Ruan Sims, Bremner, Ferguson, McGregor and Maddie Studdon, to the Cronulla Sharks side that won the inaugural women’s rugby league nines match last month.
Cronulla downed St George Illawarra 16-12 in the game that was played at Southern Cross Group Stadium prior to the Cronulla-Sydney Roosters round 25 NRL clash.
