THE Moruya Tuross Sharks under 16s were nipped by the Pambula-Merimbula Bulldogs in the final minute of the preliminary final at Tathra on Saturday.
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The Sharks were supposed to host the game at Ack Weyman Oval but due to condition of the ground the fixture was moved to Tathra.
The Sharks opened the scoring with a try to Fin McNaughton, but the conversion was unsuccessful and the Sharks led 4-nil.
The Bulldogs clicked into gear and scored the next three tries, however only one try was converted and the Bulldogs led 14-4 with about 10 minutes left.
The Bulldogs piled on pressure until Tyson Beaudean charged down a kick.
Matt Parrish found the loose ball and ran most of the field to score.
Jack Hyndes converted to bring the score to 14-10.
Moruya scored again with three minutes left through McNaughton, who scored under the posts.
Hyndes added the extras and it looked like the Sharks were heading to grand final, leading 16-14 with a bit over a minute left.
The Bulldogs rolled the dice with a short kick-off.
They regathered and scored in the corner.
The conversion from the sideline was successful and the Bulldogs won 20-16.
Better players for the Sharks were McNaughton, Brendan Blackmore, Eddie Clarke and Beaudean.
It was another great effort from the Sharks, who only had 13 of their side and again had to rely on Jack Godfrey and Treigh Stewart from the under 14s to step up and give 100 per cent.
The Sharks under 14s tackle the Narooma Red Devils in the grand final this Saturday at 11am.