Cronulla have celebrated their entry into the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with a 28-14 victory in the opening round at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.
The Sharks led 14-0 early courtesy of tries through NSW representatives Emma Tonegato, Tiana Penitani and Quincy Dodd - a fitting trio with Tonegato a marquee signing, Penitani the captain and Dodd a local junior.
Dodd finished the match with a double as the Sharks scored three more in the second half to set up a comfortable victory.
The Raiders got on the board before the break via Kiwi Ferns international Madison Bartlett in an overall encouraging performance from Darrin Borthwick's side first-up in the women's competition.
Tonegato's switch from fullback to five-eighth was among the major talking points over the off-season but the former rugby sevens star wasted no time in burning opposite number Zahara Temara from a scrum play close to the line.
Emma Tonegato try 8th minute
There were no first day nerves for the home side, as Tonegato and Penitani made light work of the Raiders’ defence with tries in the seventh and 19th minutes.
Penitani linked with Jada Taylor on the left edge before Dodd weaved her way through the middle of the field to go over for the side's third and set up a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders looked dangerous in patches and got a chance before half-time with Bartlett crossing before Emma Barnes caught the Sharks defensive line napping after the break to dart over on NRLW debut.
Try July: Viking clap
Cronulla upped the ante though from there, however, to run in three tries with Dodd going over close to the line before forwards Vanessa Foliaki and Ellie Johnston both crossed out wide.
The Raiders jagged another try back through Bartlett before the full-time siren on a day that both sides will take away plenty of positives ahead of Round 2.
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Match snapshot
- Both sides were playing their first-ever NRLW match on Sunday after gaining entry to the competition in 2023.
- Emma Tonegato crossed for the Sharks' first-ever try while the Raiders went over Madison Bartlett shortly after to own a special slice of history each.
- Bartlett's double was the fourth of her NRLW career after stints at the Warriors, Dragons and Titans. She is now outright leading try-scorer in the NRLW.
- Sharks utility Brooke Anderson was placed on report for an alleged crusher tackle in the 52nd minute.
- Raiders bench hooker Emma Barnes scored a try on NRLW debut.
- Sharks forward Ellie Johnston was immense in the middle for the side, running for 162 metres with four tackle busts and a try in the win.
- Raiders Captain Simaimia Taufa stood out for her side, running for 143 metres from 13 hit ups, plus 40 tackles
Play of the game
It was a fast start by the Sharks early with their ability to spread the ball left sending warning signs to the rest of the competition early with Emma Tonegato and Jada Taylor linking with Tiana Penitani to score the side's second in a sign of things to come for the Shire outfit.
Tiana Penitani try 22nd minute
What they said
"We are happy. Going into Round 1 you don’t know where you are situated with other teams and clubs. To have a performance like that in front of our home ground and a pretty huge crowd, we’re pretty excited. I think the good thing out of today was after halftime when they scored again, we had to tough it out and we showed that side of our game, but we let them back in so we need more toughness around that." - Sharks coach Tony Herman.
“What made me proud is that we were competitive today, which is one thing we spoke about. Obviously we had some debutants and we will learn a lot from today’s game. We have something to build on. Defensively I thought we would be better today, (there were) a couple of bad reads there and we got penalised for it with a couple of quick tries so defensively we need to be better but I thought our attack was pretty good today." - Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick.
NRLW Press Conference: Sharks v Raiders - Round 1, 2023
What's next
Cronulla will clash with another new NRLW club - first-round winners Wests Tigers - at Belmore Sports Ground as part of a double-header next Saturday. The Raiders will prepare for their first-ever home clash at GIO Stadium with the in-form Roosters awaiting them in the nation's capital.