Two Sharks tries in the final three minutes, the last a sensational 50-metre effort from fullback Valentine Holmes, has seen the young Cronulla side escape with a remarkable victory over the Bulldogs.
Holmes touched down some 10 metres to the right of the uprights and with the hooter ringing in the background managed to convert his own try to ‘steal’ a 32-30 result.
Seemingly down and out on more than one occasion the Sharks refused to give in, battling back from a 10-point deficit to ‘claim the two points that for a long while looked out of reach.
The game began with neither side asserting any dominance but when the Bulldogs did manage to get on top they swept to a big advantage with four tries in the space of 15 minutes.
At 20-0 to the Dogs it appeared as if it might end up being not whether they win rather by how far, but the Sharks had other ideas.
A try to Holmes on the stroke of half time, the first of three he would score on the night, made it 20-4 at the break and while encouraged by their first points the Sharks knew they had plenty of work in front of them.
A second try to Holmes, gave the Sharks further hope at 20-10 behind but the Bulldogs went further in front and led 24-10 with a Cronulla win again unlikely.
Two more Sharks tries, one to Jaden Clark, the second to Josh Addo-Carr made a game of it at 24-20 Bulldogs, but a try to the home team in the corner, converted from the touch line gave them a 10-point lead with time running out.
Still not throwing in the towel the Sharks attacked again, this time it was prop Kurt Dillon barging over, with Holmes adding the extras, and while bridging the gap to four points, only a little over a minute remained.
From there the Sharks moved down the field, found some space in the middle of the field and the fast feet and electric speed of Holmes did the rest, with the Sharks fullback evading the cover defense, touching down near to the posts and then converting to win the game.
After a big win in the first round the NYC Sharks are now two from two, with a game against the Dragons, who are also unbeaten in the under-20’s after the first two rounds, next Saturday night at Remondis Stadium.
SHARKS 32
Valentine Holmes 3, Josh Addo-Carr, Kurt Dillon, Jaden Clark tries, Holmes 4 goals
beat
BULLDOGS 30
