The difference in quality between the teams was evident from the start, and the Sharks dominated play, utilising the extra space with just 12 men on each team. 

The home side was also determined to improve its attacking flair after it was disappointed by its offence against Cooma the previous weekend. 

After Justin Zutt scored the first two tries for the home side he was immediately sidelined amid concerns that he might score a hat-trick and make his team mates suffer the inevitable bragging rights for weeks to come.

Gavin Olive, playing at five-eighth, relished the extra room and set up numerous attacking raids as well as scoring four tries.

Craig Cottington had a field day with the boot.

He kicked nine from 12 on the way to the Sharks’ humbling 66-4 win over Narooma. 

The highlight of the match came late – the ball was fielded from the kick-off as the full-time siren sounded.

The ball was shifted wide and Barney Campbell was the beneficiary of good support play as he raced to the try line for Moruya’s 12th try of the game.

In the post-match awards, Olive received three points, Nathan McDiarmid scored two and Barney Campbell claimed one.

The sponsor’s players’ player went to new recruit Daniel Wheeler.

Moruya 66 (tries: Gavin Olive 4, Justin Zutt 2, Adrian Andy 2, Jack Keating, Nathan Mc-Diarmid, Troy Potts, Barney Campbell; goals: Craig Cottington 9/12) defeated Narooma 4. 

She-Devils spike Sharkettes 

The Moruya Sharkettes faced off against the highly fancied Narooma She-Devils in the Group 16 women’s league tag competition.

With players away and unavailable for selection, Moruya made up the numbers where possible. 

The club welcomed back Nicole Cowdroy, who agreed to help out on the day, and Verenaisi Ratugolea, who stepped up from the junior grades to make up team numbers.

The Sharkettes were gallant in their efforts to restrict the strong Narooma attack and kept the visitors to just 12 points in the first half.

Moruya stiffened its defence in the second stanza and showed some skill with the ball.

 Rosie Scott and co-coach Lana Badullo-vich posted tries. 

The final score of 26-10 was a fair reflection of the game, and a big improvement on the round one result.

Three points went to Scott, two points to Erika Saines and one point was shared between Badullovich and Ratugolea in the post-game awards.

Narooma She-Devils 26 defeated Moruya Sharkettes 10 (tries: Rosie Scott and Lana Badullovich; goal: Izzy Pike).       

Bega confirms favouritism 

Moruya’s under 18s were forced to play away from their home ground to tackle the undefeated Bega Roosters.

 At Bega Recreation Ground on Sunday, the boys defended well, but lacked confidence and cohesion in attack, which allowed the bigger Bega pack to dominate  in defence.

Despite the 30-nil defeat dished out by the polished Bega outfit, coach Lee Nye praised the effort of his young charges and was upbeat about their chances of upsetting the Roosters in the finals. 

Three points were awarded to Jock Mc-

Naughton, two to Jesse Robertson and one to Ray Kelly.

A number of players hurried back for the first grade clash at Moruya, arriving with minutes to spare.

Hayden Murray started on the wing and Jacob Zutt was on the bench. 

This weekend, the under 18s will play Cooma in Narooma on Saturday, and all other club teams will travel to Bemboka on Sunday.