After 15 wins in succession the incredible winning streak registered by the NYC Sharks has come to end, beaten 26-18 by the Sydney Roosters.
The defending NYC champions, the Roosters were desperate to remain in the race for a finals berth and played accordingly, jumping out to a first half lead which the Sharks couldn’t manage to peg back.
The Roosters started full of running and opened their account just 10 minutes in, fullback Nick O’Meley reaching out to claim the first points of the afternoon.
The try was converted and the Sharks were down by six.
The lead was doubled when hooker Jesse Marschke sliced through some uncharacteristically soft Sharks defense and the conversion made it 12-0 before the home team managed to get on the board through lock Billy Magoulias.
Kyle Flanagan added the extras and it was 12-6 Roosters midway through the first half.
In the remainder of the opening period the Sharks failed match the Roosters intensity and in gifting them field position with a series of errors, found themselves behind 24-6 at the break.
After what was likely a half time spray from coach John Morris the young Sharks came out with plenty of intent and were next to score, centre Jesse Ramien slipping an off-load for Briton Nikora to dive over inches from the sideline.
Flanagan slotted the difficult conversion and it was 24-12 with almost 30-minutes of the match to go.
For the final half hour of the game the Sharks tried hard however the passes missed the mark, the bounce of the ball favoured their opponents when it mattered and unfortunately the lengthy winning run had come to an end.
The Roosters kicked a penalty goal to put the result beyond doubt, before Ramien showed his strength to crash his way through three defenders to score a consolation try.
The loss will have no affect on their standing heading into the finals, with the Sharks having wrapped up the minor premiership some weeks ago.
SHARKS 18
Billy Magoulias, Briton Nikora, Jesse Ramien tries, Kyle Flanagan 3 goals
Lost to
ROOSTERS 26
Sean O’Sullivan 2, Jesse Marschke, Nick O’Meley tries, O’Sullivan 5 goals
