SHELLHARBOUR City Sharks survived a late Jamberoo Superoos rally to keep their undefeated South Coast Group 7 Rugby League season record intact.
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The Sharks scored a narrow 34-30 victory at Kevin Walsh Oval on Saturday, having led 34-6 early in the second stanza.
Shellharbour were on the board before their depleted opponents had even tasted possession; Kurt Field winning the race to Matt Carroll's grubber-kick.
Jamberoo unexpectedly took the lead at 6-4, when after a Sharks error Luke Asquith laid on a try for brother James.
The visitors swiftly responded in the 16th minute, capitalising on a penalty by putting it through the hands for Chris Borneman to cross in the corner.
Shellharbour led 22-6 at the oranges.
Pivot Dylan McGregor attempted what initially appeared to be a poor kick, but managed to regather and send Manny Sultana over out wide.
They then kept the ball alive and Kurt Field powered his way across the stripe.
It appeared the Sharks may rack up a cricket score, thanks to quick-fire Ian Catania and Jai Field four-pointers.
The latter was a result of rampaging prop Harold Snell storming through sub-par defence.
However, with chief play-maker Carroll injured, Shellharbour perhaps lacked some of their usual direction during much of the second half.
The plucky Superoos refused to concede defeat either, Luke Gilmore barging over for a converted try in the 54th minute.
Front rower Brent McDonald cut the deficit to 34-18.
The Sharks still seemed set to coast to a relatively comfortable win, until Matt Coelho's deft short kick laid the platform for AJ Hatch to send Josh Saunders over with five minutes remaining.
The Shellharbour players and supporters would have been nervous when a clever Ben Jones off-load went to Superoos halfback Jono Dallas, who touched down.
It set up a grandstand finish, but despite conceding a late penalty the Sharks managed to hold on, putting a major dent in the home team's semi-final aspirations in the process.
In an entertaining clash Dylan McGregor, Hans Schuster, Josh Cordoba and Nathan Cooper were the Sharks best, while Luke and James Asquith, Josh Saunders and Luke Gilmore were best for the home side.
In other weekend games Kiama Knights seemingly wrapped up a semi-final spot with a 26-20 win over premiers Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, Gerringong Lions and Warilla-Lake South Gorillas scored huge 70-18 and 66-6 wins over Albion Park-Oak Flats and Port Kembla respectively and Milton-Ulladulla scored their fourth win of the season to end Berry Magpies semi hopes with a 28-24 win at Mollymook.