While much improved on their last up effort, the NYC Sharks have been left disappointed after giving up a 77th minute try in going down by 22-18 to the Newcastle Knights.
Beaten by a big margin by the Roosters the previous week, the Sharks showed plenty of character in turning around their previous performance, however the late try left them shattered and anchored on one win from the first six rounds of the competition.
With rain sweeping across Remondis Stadium the Sharks would be first on the board, skipper Anthony Moraitis jumping out of dummy half to score from close range.
When when Jamayne Isaako added the extras from the western sideline it was 6-0 to the home team after the first 10 minutes of the match.
Newcastle responded with a long-range effort, Brock Lamb backing up to touch down under the uprights and after converting his own try it was 6-apiece.
The Knights then took the lead with a try to centre Joshua Birch to make it 10-6 before a late Sharks four-pointer, to debutant fullback Ryan Cummins from a well-worked backline play, converted from wide out by Isaako, sent the young Cronulla boys to the break up by 12-10.
Again the lead changed when Newcastle scored from a Lamb line break, the Knights five eighth finding fullback Bryce Donovan in support and with the two points added it was Newcastle up 16-12.
Again the Sharks responded, this time it was forward Daniel Liddicoat crashing over and with Isaako once more on target with the kick at goal it was 18-16 Sharks with 20 minutes of the contest remaining.
Both sides had chances to score but were kept at bay and it appeared as if the Sharks would hold on for a gutsy win, however following three repeat sets on the Cronulla line a try from dummy half would see the Newcastle team escape with the victory and the two competition points.
While shattered by the final outcome the Sharks coaching staff would have been encouraged by the effort shown in rebounding from a morale-snapping defeat just five days earlier.
The NYC Sharks now have a long turn around until their next match which will be against Souths at Remondis Stadium on Monday, April 20.
NYC SHARKS 18
Anthony Moraitis, Ryan Cummins, Daniel Liddicoat tries, Jamayne Isaako 3 goals
lost to
NYC KNIGHTS 22
Joshua Birch, Brock Lamb, Bryce Donovan, Ben Stone tries Lamb 3 goals
