THE Shellharbour Sharks claimed an important 22-18 win against a classy Kiama Knights outfit thanks to an amazing last minute try from Shellharbour winger Jye Brooker at Ron Costello Oval on Sunday.
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In a tough and nail biting game of rugby league, the scores were locked at 18-all with five minutes left with both sides exchanging a few penalty goals late in the encounter.
Kiama missed a difficult penalty goal attempt 40 metres out from the Sharks try line.
A few plays later, Shellharbour put on a clever attacking play on the halfway line, as winger Jye Brooker ran 30 metres down the eastern touchline and somehow grounded the football despite the fact his entire body was in the air and over the sideline.
The Knights started the proceedings in spectacular fashion with a nice wrap around attacking play close to the Sharks try line enabled Cameron Cornell to score on the western touchline which gave his side an early 4-nil lead.
The home side were asked to defend in their own half for an extensive period and were rewarded for their efforts.
Five-eighth Nick Greenhalgh played a pivotal role as he assisted the tries of Ryan McCracken, with a perfectly waited grubber kick towards the in goal area and Harold Snell, with an excellent short pass inside the Knights 20 metre zone.
Matt Carroll converted both tries as Shellharbour took the lead for the first time in the match at 12-4.
The Knights dug deep as Cameron Vazzoler’s cross field kick to a high flying Cameron Cornell help reduce the Sharks lead to 12-8 at the break.
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half as captain Matt Carroll found open space on the left side of the park and sent his centre Eze Harper into score which gave his side a commanding 16-8 lead.
Hard hitting defence from both sides evened out the contest as Kiama forced a few errors and enjoyed much needed time in enemy territory with the football in hand as they squared the contest up through try scorer Toby Nobes, who was helped by a brilliant inside pass from Cameron Vazzoler for his effort.
Hamish McLaurin converted the try and slotted a crucial penalty goal which brought the game to level pegging at 16-all with 10 minutes left in the match.
The intensity and desire from both teams went to another level as Shellharbour regained the lead at 18-16 through a penalty goal from Matt Carroll adjacent to the uprights.
A mistake 30 metres out from their own try line and ill discipline from the Sharks allowed for Hamish McLaurin to slot another penalty conversion as they were levelled the game once again at 18-all.
The Knights opted for another penalty goal when given the chance but couldn’t capitalise as the Sharks scored a 50 metre range try with half a minute left to make it three wins on the trot and run out victors by 22-18.
James Ralphs, Nick Greenhalgh, Eze Harper, Ryan McCracken and Harold Snell were outstanding for the Sharks while Daniel Martin, Tom Atkins, Cameron Vazzoler, Cameron Cornell and Ethan Ford all played their hearts out for the Knights.