NYC FIGHTBACK COMES UP SHORT

Story By : Rob Willis Sharks Media Manager
Photo's By : steve montgomery /

In a game of two distinctly different halves the NYC Sharks have fallen just short of what would have been a remarkable second half comeback in going down by 36-32 to the New Zealand Warriors.

Facing a 24-point deficit at the half time break all seemed bleak for the Sharks however they responded in the second 40 minutes, moved within two points with plenty of time remaining but in the end couldn’t claim what would have been a remarkable win.

The Sharks scored first when Will Kennedy sliced through but from there the first half was all the Warriors.

An error soon after the Sharks converted try saw them respond immediately and from that point the first half was all one way traffic.

The Warriors managed four more tries, all converted and at the break the home side was in all sorts of trouble at 30-6 down.

After what must have been a spirited half time roast from coach John Morris it was a different Sharks to come out of the sheds.

With a stiff southerly now at their backs the Sharks grew in confidence and after four tries, to Semsi Vea, Lachlan Stein, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga and the final four-pointer from winger Josh Tuilaga off a clever Tepa Fuiavailili off-load, amazingly the home team had moved within two at 30-28 with still almost 20 minutes left on the clock.

Somewhat shocked by the rearguard Sharks comeback the Warriors settled and a try against the run of play, to winger Lewis Soosemea put them eight in front and with now under 10 minutes remaining the young Cronulla side was again up against it.

Tuilagi scored a second in the north-eastern corner in the dying moments to get his team within four but in the end time ran out on their challenge as the Warriors held on for a 36-32 win.

While pleased with the fight shown by his team Morris would have been disappointed with the number of soft tries given up by the Sharks, who with a win could have established themselves inside the top eight on the NYC ladder.