After what has been an excellent start to their 2016 campaign the NYC Sharks have hit a hurdle in going down by 22-16 to the last-placed Manly Sea Eagles in their round three deferred match played at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
The enthusiasm of the home team, coupled with some ordinary play and a lack of discipline from the young Cronulla side, with a penalty count heavily in favour of the home team, ultimately proved to be the undoing of the Sharks.
Manly always seemed to be on the front foot but in going to half time down by just 12-10 John Morris's side had every reason to believe they could turn the tables after the break however the second period followed a similar course to the first, with Manly in front by six with time running out.
The Sharks had appeared to have given themselves an opportunity to snatch at least one point but when Will Kennedy was denied a try due to an obstruction call with just three minutes left on the clock, the Manly team would hold on for what was their first win of the 2016 season.
While the match and the result was disappointing the debut of Zac Faulkner, who played strongly in the front row after coming off the interchange bench, was a positive for the Sharks.
The loss sees the Sharks remain in fifth position on the NYC ladder, one point from second and four points behind the competition-leading Penrith Panthers.
The next match for the NYC Sharks will be against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium next Sunday. Kick-off will be at 9.40am.
