The struggles have continued for the NYC Sharks with the third placed Dragons proving too good in the round 13 match played at WIN Stadium.
The Sharks battled hard and were competitive again for long periods of the match, but in the end run the Dragons ran away with the points in scoring a 32-18 victory.
After some concerted early pressure the Dragons were first on the Dragons were first on the board with a try wide out, converted from the eastern touchline as they took a 6-0 lead.
From there however the Sharks responded and enjoyed a territorial advantage of their own and after a couple of attacking sets were rewarded with a try when an Alex Zarounas kick was claimed by Dallas Wells, with the fullback touching down under the uprights.
Jamayne Isaako added the extras and the scores were tied up at 6-apiece.
The Sharks continued to press and when Anthony Moraitis slipped a clever one handed pass for Josh Addo-Carr to score the visitors had the lead at 10-6 in front.
The Dragons got a second four pointer through centre Brent Anderson to go in front 12-10, a scoreline the two teams would take to the half time break.
The St George try extended their advantage with the first try of the second half but again the Sharks rebounded, Moraitis scoring after a determined run close to the line.
Isaako couldn’t add the extras from near touch but at 16-14 the match appeared destined for a close finish.
Unfortunately for the Sharks that was the way it panned, the Dragons pulling away to lead 32-14, before Issako tip-toed down the sideline to score in the south-western corner of WIN Stadium.
The loss was the seventh in succession for a Sharks team which is trying hard but which is falling down at crucial moments. Also making life difficult for the Sharks was the loss of key personnel in Valentine Holmes and Jayden Clarke, with the pair playing in the NSW Cup earlier in the afternoon, while regular halfback Fa’amanu Brown will tonight make his NRL debut.
Like their NRL counterparts the NYC Sharks have the bye next weekend.
SHARKS 18
Jamayne Isaako, Dallas Wells, Josh Addo-Carr, Anthony Moraitis tries, Isaako goal
Lost to
DRAGONS 32
NYC Sharks team list
1. Dallas Wells
3. Jamayne Isaako
21. Paul Simona
4. Anthony Moraitis
5. Josh Addo-Carr
18. Alex Zarounas
7. Connor Tracey
8. Kurt Dillon
9. Kurt Drysdale
10. Jake Goodwin
19. Ashleigh Nisbet
12. Patrice Siolo
13. Winstone Asotasi
interchange
11. Jake Lawrence
14. Brad Deitz
16. Alec Susino
15. Sage Wilder
