Scoring a hard-fought victory over the Titans on the Gold Coast last Monday, John Morris’ NYC Sharks will be out to make it a trio of consecutive wins in hosting the Raiders 20s on Saturday.
Getting off to a flying start at Robina last Monday, the Sharks were then made to work for their win eventual 6-point win, running out eventual 34 points to 28 victors over a spirited Titans outfit.
Up by 18 – and then 12 points with a quarter of the match remaining – the Sharks lead had quickly evaporated when the Junior Titans roared right back into the contest on the back of a run of points.
Though despite the hosts’ efforts, the Sharks would steady their ship to score a late match winner courtesy of winger Sione Katoa’s venture infield.
In the wake of the win, Coach Morris praised the resolve of his men in light of the Titans fight-back, saying a dangerous attacking outfit in the form of the Gold Coast posed plenty of threats – those which his side were able to account for at the end of the 80 minutes.
Last time the Sharks and Raiders met in Round 7 of this season, it was the Sharks who scored an impressive 32 points to 6 victory in the Nation’s Capital.
That match now means little, and the NYC Raiders will fancy their chances of turning that score line on its head, coming into the match on the back of three-consecutive wins themselves.
Wins over the Cowboys, Warriors and Rabbitohs respectively has the Raiders into the Top 8, with intentions of shoring up their hopes of playing finals footy with a venture to Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The Sharks NYC side sits sixth heading into the match, and look poised to pounce upon those placed higher, if they can land a fourth-consecutive NYC win on Saturday.
Success against the Raiders would see the Sharks leap-frog the NYC Eels into 5th, and draw equal with the fourth-placed Dragons on 29 points, who boast a better differential.
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