Task one was completed successfully when the NSW Cup Sharks beat the second-placed Wentworthville last Sunday, now their attention will turn to the second phase of a difficult two week assignment, with the Cronulla side to take on the competition leading Panthers this weekend.
The Sharks prevailed over the Magpies in a point-scoring bonanza by 40-36 at their last start however coach Tony Herman will be stressing the need to lift another cog when they tackle the formidable Panthers outfit in Bathurst on Saturday.
The Sharks remained seventh after the win over Wenty but with the competition table starting to bunch up, a win over the Panthers would go a long way towards them pushing up into the top four, which in turn would put the Sharks in an outstanding position to mount a spirited defense of their NSW Cup title over the coming weeks.
For the match which kicks off at 12.40pm at Carrington Park in Bathurst, the Sharks have named a side not dissimilar to the one which was successful against Wenty.
Again the Storm has supplied a handful of quality players, including Kurt Mann and Justin O’Neil, while Nathan Gardner at fullback will again be a key attacking weapon for the Sharks. PNG international Mark Mexico also makes his return after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury.
For those not in Bathurst for the game on Saturday, Fox Sports will show a live telecast of the NSW Cup match.
NSW Cup Team List - Round 20
Sharks v Panthers
Saturday, July 26
Carrington Park, Bathurst
Kickoff – 12.40pm
1 Nathan Gardner
2 Travis Robinson
3 Blake Ayshford
4 Kurt Mann
5 Justin O’Neill
6 Ben Hampton
7 Daniel Holdsworth
8 Mark Mexico
9 Scott Sorensen
10 George Rose
11 Junior Roqica
12 Sione Masima
13 Michael Morris
INTERCHANGE
14 Penani Manumalealii
15 Jake Lawrence
16 Josh Portlock
17 Ben Chahoud
