Flegg Sharks fall short in Finals loss
They scored seven tries, however it wasn’t enough for the Sharks to progress in the Jersey Flegg competition following a 40-36 Finals loss to the Penrith Panthers.
The young Sharks were their own worst enemies in the first half, falling behind 28-0, before a try before half time then two second half touchdowns gave them hope.
To the disappointment of their coaching staff and fans the Sharks again clocked off defensively as their opponents appeared to build a match-winning 40-16 advantage with under 15 minutes remaining.
But in showing a measure of resolve the Cronulla side worked their way back into the contest and exploiting a weakness down the Panthers left, Riley Pollard would score, shortly after John-Paul Donevski crossed for the first of his two tries, and when Pharrell Gray backed up for another, the Sharks score was 40-30 with under five minutes left on the clock.
A long-range effort, finished off by Donevski and converted by Pollard gave the Sharks a glimmer of hope, with the score just four the difference and under 90 seconds of the match remaining.
The Sharks again spun the ball to their right but when a cut out pass flew over the sideline their brave fightback had come up short.
After finishing second following 17 wins from 24 matches, the under-21 Sharks bowed out a game short of the Grand Final after consecutive losses to the Storm, and now the Panthers.
