The St Helens Academy team from the UK defeated the Sharks Under 17's Academy by 30-22 in a competitive and entertaining game.

Played in warm conditions at Forshaw Park at Sylvania Waters, the Sharks gave up an early lead to their overseas visitors but bounced back in giving their highly rated rivals a mighty scare.

But in the end the combinations formed by the St Helens boys over their month long tour proved a little too much for the young Sharks, with a try right on full-time pushing the margin out to eight points in what probably wasnt a true indication of a match which could have gone either way.

After St Helens had opened the scoring with two unconverted tries, the Sharks worked their way into the contest with a try under the posts to prop Daniel Byrne, coverted by Taylar Garrett, making the score 8-6.

The remainder of the first half turned into an arm wrestle, with neither side able to breech their opponents line, until St Helens got a third four pointer right on the half time buzzer after a well worked move down their left hand side of the field to take their advantage out to 12-6 at the break.

The second stanza saw the Sharks return to the field with an abundance of enthusiasm and the energy was rewarded with two tries, one to prop Blake Osgood, the other by centre Josh Luani and at 16-12 the Sharks had taken their first lead of the afternoon.

St Helens kept coming however and two further tries, one converted, saw them in front again at 22-16, before the Sharks again responded through fullback Sam Rauicava, setting up a frantic final 10 minutes with the scores again locked at 22-all.

With the superior fitness gained through consistent training and playing whilest on tour it would be St Helens who would come home the stronger as the Sharks boys struggled in the heat having been away from the playing field for more than a month.

Despite the finish and the victory to the impressive St Helens squad the Sharks came away proud of their efforts as they look forward to the SG Ball season early in 2012.

In an after match presentation St Helens presented the Sharks best with club shirts, with prop Brock Cope, fullback Rauicava and second rower Ben Chahoud rewarded for their strong performances.

While the best of the Sharks 15's and 17's go into junior representative training for Matthews Cup and SG Ball, academy squads will be chosen for under 13's, 14's and 16's to train throughout summer in the Sharks Summer Academy.

Sharks Academy coordinators are encouraging coaches in those age groups who have not already, to submit nominations of players for those academy squads as soon as possible.