Sharks beat Knights ahead of upcoming Flegg Finals

They built up a commanding lead but were then forced to hold on in a tense last five minutes, however in beating the Knights on Sunday the Sharks confirmed their place in the upcoming Jersey Flegg Finals series.

The Sharks led 30-12 with around 15 minutes left on the clock, before three Newcastle tries in quick succession saw the margin narrowed, but in showing composure and resolve the Cronulla side managed a 30-26 victory, one which saw them leapfrog the Panthers and finish in third position on the competition ladder.

With the five-team Flegg Finals format, the win by the Sharks sees them now move on to play a qualifying Final against the second-placed Bulldogs, with the winner to them take on the minor premiers in the Roosters, while the loser takes on the winner of the four v five match featuring the Storm and Panthers.

Against the Knights in the match played in Newcastle on Sunday, the Sharks showed some of the late-season form which has resulted in two convincing wins since a round 23 bye, three first half tries, all converted by Kristian Dixon, seeing lead 18-12 at the half time break.

A try and conversion to Dixon soon after the resumption pushed the lead out to 12 points, before backrower Henry O’Kane added another four pointer and at 30-12 the Sharks had a match winning advantage.

From that point however the momentum shifted, the Knights battled back, forcing the Sharks to desperately hold on to lock down the win, third place on the table and the double shot in the upcoming Flegg Finals.

While the team from Sunday has more than proved their worth in recent weeks, with elimination of the Jets from the NSW Cup race, the Sharks could welcome back the likes of Blake Hosking, Sam Healey and Manaia Waitere for their match against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Flegg Finals match with the Bulldogs is scheduled for an 11am kick off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

SHARKS 30
Tully Wilton, Toby Boothroyd, Ethan Cocco, Kristian Dixon, Henry O'Kane tries, Dixon 5 goals
beat
KNIGHTS 12