The Jersey Flegg Sharks had given up two tries in the final 10 minutes in going down by 22-12 to the Parramatta Eels.
In a game where neither team could assert any dominance, the Sharks held a slender 12-10 lead until the late surge tipped the result in the favour of their opponents.
The Sharks were first on the board, half back Ryan Rivett taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce after an attempted charge down, before collecting the football and running 25-metres to score.
Rivett converted his own try to give his team a 6-0 lead.
In blustery conditions but dry conditions with the rain from earlier in the day subsiding, points were hard to come by, but it would be the Eels to strike next, a try out wide, converted from near the eastern touchline levelling the scores at six points all.
Neither team was able to add to their score in the remaining minutes, with teams going to the break all locked up.
Now with the wind at their back the Sharks had territorial advantage but couldn’t turn that into points and it was the Eels to take the lead, half back Ethan Sanders slicing through to give his team its first lead of the afternoon at 10-6.
Against the run of play the Sharks however would respond, a chain of passes at the back putting Noah Lester into space, the centres finding lock Blake Hosking in support for a 30-metre dash to the line.
Rivett kicked the simple conversion and the Sharks had their noses in front once again.
From there though the Eels would come home the strongest, a blunder at the back seeing a kick bounce into Parramatta hands and after the kick at goal would lead 16-12.
The Sharks opportunities from there were limited, and when the Eels finished the match off with a try under the uprights a win to the visitors was secured.
While no excuse for the result, the Sharks missed the likes of Jayden Samrani who has trained throughout the summer with the NRL squad, along with team Captain Kai Parker who were both late withdrawals from today’s match.
The Flegg Sharks now have a win and a loss to show for their two games so far.
SHARKS 12
Blake Hosking, Ryan Rivett tries, Rivett 2 goals
lost to
Eels 22
