A late try from prop Tepatasi Fuiavailili has seen the NYC Sharks claim an important two competition points with a 20-18 victory over the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
In a re-scheduled game which was washed out back in round 13, the Sharks led for most of the contest, lost control and the lead with 20 minutes to go, before scoring the match-winner in the final five minutes.
Against a Bulldogs team that was coming off an upset victory over the Dragons but otherwise has been disappointing for much of 2016, the Sharks had to remain calm and grind out a win that keeps them in the top eight as the NYC competition passes the halfway mark and heads for the finals.
The first half was a hard-fought affair and it was the Sharks who would take a 10-4 lead to the break.
The two teams traded tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second period to make it 14-8 Sharks but from there the Bulldogs gained the ascendency, two more four-pointers, one converted, saw the home team jump out to an 18-14 advantage putting the young Cronulla side under pressure with time running out.
Showing good composure however the Sharks kept battling away, with the Fuiavailili try, converted by Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, a good reward for their resilience.
For the Sharks Aufaga-Toomaga was amongst their best, with winger Josh Tuilagi and interchange forward Billy Magoulias also performing strongly in the narrow win.
The victory for the Sharks was their eighth in 13 games and when added to the bye the Cronulla side where scheduled to have this weekend, they move to 20 competition points and depending on other results in round 15 to within striking distance of the top four.
In round 16 the NYC Sharks host the New Zealand Warriors next Saturday at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
SHARKS 20
Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga 2, Ash Nisbet, Tepa Fuiavailili tries, Aufaga-Toomaga 2 goals.
BEAT
BULLDOGS 18
