A GALLANT comeback by the Moruya Sharks under 18s fell short against the combined Merimbula-Eden side in a qualifying final at Bega on Sunday.
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The Sharks were struck by injury and illness with Jesse Robertson and Cohen McGrath ruled out, while several other players were unable or unwilling to make the trip south which reduced the team to 15.
Despite a reshuffled team, the Sharks showed plenty of determination in attack and defence in the hard-fought match.
Moruya’s Ray Kelly crossed out wide to equalise the game after an early try by Eden.
The combined team retook the lead but a solo try by Hayden Murray, who chipped and regathered, made the score 10-8 at half-time to Eden.
The combined side gained ascendancy in the second half with more fresh players and it bounced out to a commanding 18-8 lead with 15 minutes to play.
The Sharks didn’t drop their heads and mounted several attacking plays until Indiana Jones scored.
Jacob Zutt’s conversion put the Sharks within range at 18-14 with eight minutes to play.
However, the tiring Sharks were unable to breach the opposition line before full-time.
Coach Lee Nye was disappointed with the outcome but praised the effort and commitment of the players who made the trip to Bega.
He urged his team to regroup and commit for the match against Cooma.