A Braydon Trindall field goal with just eight second remaining on the clock has powered the Jersey Flegg Sharks to a 25-24 victory over the high-flying Penrith Panthers in their round 20 clash at Henson Park.
In a match worthy of a second versus third tussle there were a number of lead changes before it came down to the last gasp heroics, with the win cementing the Sharks position towards the top of the table while at the same time giving them a shot of confidence with the competition finals just around the corner.
The Sharks rebounded after the Panthers had opened the scoring, with tries to hooker Harrison Smith, Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie and Jackson Ferris, seeing them take a handy 18-6 lead to the half time break.
The Panthers narrowed the gap with a converted try in the early moments of the second period, however a second touchdown to Smith, with Trindall adding the extras and the Sharks appeared to have a match-winning advantage at 24-12 in front.
This Penrith side however isn't on top of the table for no reason and they inched closer and then had a chance to level the scores when a 61st minute try gave their goal kicker Brendan Hands the opportunity to make it 24-all.
His kick was waved away but he was given a second chance to even up the ledger with a penalty attempt with only three minutes on the clock, Sharks fullback Luke Polselli sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in defusing a potential Penrith try-scoring opporutnity.
This time Hands was on target and in a frantic finish, the Panthers were disallowed the possible match-winning try, before the Sharks marched up-field with their last possession of the game, a strong run from prop Cruz Topai Aveai putting his team in position, with Trindall's sealing the win with a field goal that saw the Sharks claim the points and leap-frog the Panthers on the Flegg ladder.
With four games remaining the Sharks are now on 32 point and seven ahead of the fifth-place Roosters, virtually assured of a top four finish.
SHARKS 25
Harrison Smith 2, Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie, Jackson Ferris tries, Braydon Trindall 4 goals, field goal
Beat
PANTHERS 24
