A win over the Dragons last weekend has the NYC Sharks riding high in second place on the ladder but there is no time for complacency with John Morris’s side to tackle another quality opponent in the Cowboys tomorrow night.
The Sharks jumped their local rivals and moved into second position with a convincing 36-14 win at Jubilee Oval and now find themselves trailing just the Penrith Panthers after the first 10 rounds of the 2017 season.
As has been the case for most of their wins this year, the Sharks success was built on a strong first half defensive effort, with the Cronulla side keeping the Dragons scoreless in the opening period before going on with the job in the second half.
Also consistent for the Sharks this season has been the work of their forwards, with the pack defending stoutly, taking the ball forward and giving their outside men time and opportunity to display their skills.
Halves Kyle Flanagan and Jack Williams have formed a solid combination, with fullback Will Kennedy showing the benefits of an off-season with the NRL squad.
Billy Magoulias, in his third year in the NYC competition, scored a trademark try against the Dragons and his 80 minute performances at lock are one of the reasons the young Sharks side are sitting where they are on the Holden Cup table.
While the Sharks have been in winning form, the opposite can be said for a North Queensland team which started the season strongly.
After sitting amongst the front-runners the Cowboys have now lost three games in succession and will be keen to reverse that trend come tomorrow evening. Despite their poor month of football they still sit in fifth position.
Helping the Cowboys cause will be the possible inclusion of young gun Kalyn Ponga, with the fullback named in the number one jersey in the NYC and also on an extended NRL bench.
The Sharks v Cowboys NYC match is scheduled to get underway at the earlier time of 5.05pm, due to a Women’s Series fixture taking place before the kick off to the NRL game.
Coach Morris has narrowed his squad down from 23 to 20, with a final decision on the make-up of his team to take place an hour before kick-off.
NYC Team List – Round 11
Sharks v Cowboys
Thursday, May 18
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off – 5.05pm
1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA
3 Isaac LUMELUME
4 Bessie AUFAGA-TOOMAGA
5 Johnathan TUFUGA
6 Jack WILLIAMS ©
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Ryan KING
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Brock ILETT
11 Briton NIKORA
12 Tony MATAUTIA
13 Billy MAGOULIAS
Interchange
14 Eddie FAALUA
15 Kalani PEWHAIRANGI-CHARLIE
16 Zachary FAULKNER
17 Joshua CARR
18 Clayton UIA
19 Lane FERLING
20 Joshua Tuilagi
21 Kurtis SHAYLER
22 Donovan BRIGGS
23 Luke Jurd
