The Jersey Flegg Sharks played out a 20-all draw with Souths on Saturday to reclaim top spot on the competition ladder.
Coming into the contest on the back of three straight losses, the under-20 Sharks appeared to have scored a morale-boosting win when winger Josh Delailoa put his team in front with a try seven minutes from time, only for Souths to level the scores with what was almost the last play of the game.
The Rabbitohs had a chance to snatch a win after the siren, however the conversion attempt to drifted wide as the two teams split the points.
Played before the NRL clash matching the same two sides, the Rabbitohs started strongly and after two first half tries took a 10-0 lead to half time.
Things got worse for the young Cronulla side immediately after the break when Souths pushed their lead out to 16-0 with a converted try in the opening exchanges of the second period, however from that point the Sharks responded.
Front rower Franklin Pele opened the account for his team in the fourth minute of the second half Jonaiah Lualua adding the extras, before interchange hooker James Russell crossed shortly after and when the kick was again successful it was 16-12 and the Sharks were charging.
Lorenzo Mulitalo, two brother of Sharks NRL outside back Ronaldo, levelled the scores, then the Delailoa four pointer would put his team in front for the first time in the match.
However just when it looked as if the Sharks had pulled off a stirring come-from-behind victory Souths would touch down in the dying moments, leaving the scores deadlocked at 20 as both teams took away what might be a valuable point with the Finals approaching.
The Sharks moved back into the first position on the Flegg ladder, level with the Roosters but ahead on for-and-against. Souths maintained fourth place following the drawn result.
The Flegg Sharks face another test of their premiership credentials when they travel to Penrith to play the third-placed Panthers on Friday night in the first of three games to be played at Penrith Stadium. Kick-off is at 4.00pm.
SHARKS 20
Lorenzo Mulitalo, Josh Delailoa, Franklin Pele, James Russell tries, Jonaiah Lualua 2 goals
drew with
SOUTHS 20
