Sharks within one win of Grand Final - New South Wales Rugby League
Sharks within one win of Grand Final
www.sharks.com.au
19/09/2011 10:35:30 AM
The NSW Cup Sharks have staged a remarkable second half comeback to beat Wentworthville 36-34 and move within one game of a Grand Final appearance.
Behind by 30-6 at the break but with a strong southerly wind at their backs for the second 40 minutes, the Sharks fought back in spectacular fashion, with a try out wide to Dean Collis and a Nathan Stapleton sideline conversion putting them ahead for the first time in the match with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.
Despite a few anxious moments, it was a lead the Sharks would defend until the final siren.
It was an unlikely result considering the Sharks lost Melbourne Storm forward Robbie Rochow in the first minute with an ankle injury, then struggled to compete with a slick Wentworthville side in the first half.
With their season teetering on the brink it was a combination of some stern words from coach Tony Herman and the strong breeze behind them which turned the Sharks fortunes around as they battled to bridge the gap.
The Sharks moved to within one converted try at 30-24 down but their chances again appeared to evaporate when Wentworthville extended their lead to 10 points with an unconverted try.
It was a Scott Porter touchdown, his second of the afternoon, which gave the Sharks hope with 14 minutes to go, before the Collis four pointer and successful Stapleton kick put the Cronulla side ahead for the first time in the match.
Wentworthville weren't done with however and mounted a last minute attack but the Sharks held firm to record the sensational come from behind win to book a place in the Grand Final qualifier next weekend.
For the Sharks Siosaia Vave was again strong up front and was more than ably supported by front row partners Johnny Mannah and Andrew Clayton, while hooker Stuart Flanagan also showed his class with a solid second half performance.
The NSW Cup Sharks now move on to play the Auckland Vulcans next weekend at Leichhardt Oval, with the winner moving on to the Grand Final at ANZ Stadium the following week.
The other Grand Final qualifier will be played between the minor premiers the Canterbury Bulldogs and the North Sydney Bears, who were successful in beating Newtown by 17-16 in the other NSW Cup match played today.
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