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

A freakish last minute try, scored from a Sharks kick off, saw the Cronulla Matthews Cup side escape with a 20-all draw in their match against the Balmain Tigers played at the Sharks Academy Fields at Cronulla High School.

Down by four points with less than two minutes remaining, Sharks centre Douglas Levi raced through, gathered the kickoff after the Tigers had taken a four-point lead just moments earlier, before racing 35 metres to score wide out.

Unfortunately the attempt at conversion was waved away and the Sharks had to be satisfied with the one-competition point from a performance that was highlighted by far too many errors for the liking of coach Daniel Holdsworth.

The Matts Cup Sharks were on the board first when fullback Noah Lester scored adjacent to the posts and the conversion from Jordan Samrani made it 6-0 Sharks.

The Tigers would claw their way back with a try shortly after, before another four pointer, this time converted, took the visitors to the break up by 10-6 and leaving the Sharks with plenty to do.

Kade Dykes would tip the ledger back in the Sharks favour with an individual effort from close range, the Samrani kick putting his team in front, before a Tigers penalty goal levelled the scores at 12-apiece.

Now with some momentum the Tigers would again grab the lead once more with third third try of the morning, but the Sharks would again respond, Kitione Kautoga showing good strength to get the ball down despite the attention of a number of Balmain defenders.

This time the conversion attempt was wide and the Tigers had an 18-16 lead with time running out.

A penalty goal to Balmain appeared to seal the win just two minutes out, before the frantic finish which saw Levi claim the ball from the restart and score the try to level up the scores at 20-all.

With the one-point the Sharks remain in fifth position, with a crucial final round match against Illawarra before the finals commence.

MATTHEWS CUP
SHARKS 20
Noah Lester, Douglas Levi, Kade Dykes, Kitione Kautoga tries, Jordan Samrani 2 goals
Drew with
TIGERS 20