The NYC Sharks have gone down to the Newcastle Knights 36-24 at McDonald Jones Stadium in the final regular season match of 2017
The Sharks would get the scoring underway when Kyle Flanagan received the ball close to the line and sold a quality show-and-go before crossing over for the first try of the match.
The halfback would convert his own try and the score was 6-0 after four minutes.
The Knights would hit back in quick time though as they moved the ball to the left and following some poorly timed Sharks defence crossed over through centre Cory Denniss.
Curtis Dark added the extras and the scores were locked at 6-6 after 9 minutes.
The Sharks knew the importance of hitting back on the scoreboard and hit back they did as Luke Metclaf showed his pace and fleet-footedness to cut through the Knights defensive line and go over.
Kyle Flanagan converted the try and the Sharks were back out ahead, 12-6.
In the true fashion of the game though it would be the Knights who would score next, as bench player Luke Huth scored right on half time to get his side back in the contest.
Dark converted the try and the scores were 12-12 at the break.
Both sides returned to what was a warm, Spring day in the Steel City, with both side feeling the heat of the sun.
Sharks big-man Eddie Faalua crossed over in the 44th minute to make sure his side was not out of the clash in the Hunter. Sustained pressure from the young Sharks side led to the points and the Sharks looked to flex their muscles once more. Flanagan converted and the score went to 18-12.
In what would be no surprise, the Knights were next to score as full back Matt Cooper after some quality follow up play and the Knights were back in it. Dark converted his third try of the day and the score were locked up at 18-18 with 23 minutes on the clock.
The Knights scored two quick tries through Matt Cooper and Hayden Loughrey and the score went out to 24-18, with the Knights putting their hold on the game.
The Sharks were not done though as they hit back through Josh Carr on their left edge. Flanagan converted his fourth goal and the score would be 24-24.
From here though, all the traffic would be with the home side.
After sustained pressure from the Knights, Eddy Tuilotolava barged his way over from close-range to take the scores to 28-24. Dark would again convert and the score went out to 30-24 with eight minutes remaining.
Matt Cooper scored late for the Newcastle Knights after some strong lead-up play to put the game to bed & the Knights would run out winners 36 points to 24.
Newcastle Knights 36
Def.
Cronulla Sharks 24: Tries: Flanagan, Metcalf, Faalua, Carr. Goals: Flanagan 4/4 convs.
