THE Moruya Sharks travelled over the mountains to tackle the Cooma Stallions at Cooma Showground on Sunday.
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On a hot afternoon, Moruya’s first grade side played without classy fullback Dennis Green, Shaun Staples and Brent Ayton.
The Sharks had no fresh players on the bench and Gavin Olive and Hayden Murray backed up from reserve grade to join the starting 13.
Jacob Hope-Hodges, Jacob Zutt and Jack Keating were on the bench after also playing in reserve grade.
Cooma carried its form from the first round win against Batemans Bay and posted a converted try after four minutes.
The Sharks responded quickly through Luke Jay, who barged over next to the posts.
Matt Jones’ conversion took the score to 6-all.
A mistake from the kick-off had the Stallions on the attack and the home side capitalised on some poor Sharks’ defence to lead 12-6.
Olive and Aaron Brierley scored a try each to regain the lead and when Jay backed up a 30-metre Tim Weyman bust to place the ball over the line, the Sharks were ahead 20-12.
The high-scoring affair continued with Pat McMahon and Jake Clarke crossing for the Sharks.
Cooma added another try off a clever kick and the Sharks led 32-18 at the half-time break.
The second half continued in the same vein with plenty of points on offer.
Hayden Murray, 18, showed his class with two great flanker tries.
Dean Scott set up Murray’s second try after bursting through a tackle.
He then crabbed across the field before he threw a 30-metre pass to Murray who scored in the corner.
Another highlight was a kick return from McMahon.
He caught a bomb on his own try line before he skirted the defence, straightened the attack, and busted through the cover defence to run 70 metres and score under the posts.
Clarke was dangerous all day and chipped in with another four-pointer of his own.
“Clarke is relishing the five-eighth role,” Sharks president Dave Farrell said.
“He is getting the ball in his hands and creating opportunities for the outside backs.”
Sam Howlett crossed out wide to complete his strong return to the Sharks.
The game wrapped up with a Sharks’ win, 54-30.
“There were many great performances by the Sharks with Shane Colebrook, Dillon Johnston and Dean Scott strong up front,” Farrell said.
“Weyman was dangerous running out wide, while Luke Jay continues to impress with his smart dummy-half play and strong defence.
“The backs were able to capitalise on the momentum provided by the forwards and Jones and Clarke orchestrated some classy attacking raids with Caine Brierley, Howlett and McMahon making the most of their opportunities.”
Farrell praised under 18s player Jacob Zutt who backed up a man of the match performance with an “outstanding performance” in the top grade.
“Zutt played himself to a standstill and was one of the best for the Sharks,” he said.
Moruya 54 (tries; Jay 2, Murray 2, McMahon 2, Olive, Clarke, A Brierley, Howlett, goals; Jones 3/5, McMahon 4/5) defeated Cooma 30.
Moruya has a week off before it plays Narooma at Narooma on April 11.
Its three grades take on the Red Devils and the Sharks’ under 18s play Batemans Bay.
Zutt lifts Moruya’s reserves
MORUYA Sharks’ reserve grade had just 14 players available for its match against Cooma on Sunday.
A special moment was when club stalwart, and ex-president, Justin Zutt took to the field after a seven-year break due to illness, playing alongside his son, Jacob.
The Sharks were on the back foot early with the much bigger Stallions scoring in the sixth minute.
Moruya hit back when forward Jacob Hope-Hodges barged over.
The match became an arm wrestle and end-to-end football was played.
The 6-all deadlock was broken when Justin Zutt crashed across for a four-pointer which sent the Sharks’ fans wild.
Craig Cottington converted and the Sharks took a 12-6 to half-time.
Early in the second half the Sharks were reduced to 12 players after an indiscretion by Geoffrey McWhinney.
The Sharks had one reserve to Cooma’s six and coach Michael Cottington asked his team to “dig deep and play for each other”.
Cooma scored 10 minutes into the second half but responded through Jack Keating whose try put his side up 18-10.
A late unconverted try to Cooma put the home side within range at 18-14 with six minutes to play.
However, the plucky Sharks were not done and fittingly Justin Zutt was able to force his way across the stripe with just seconds remaining.
Craig Cottington kept his perfect record in tact and duly converted, and the Sharks won 24-14.
Farrell was enthusiastic in his praise of the team.
“It was a great win for the club and it was a wonderful occasion for the Zutt family,” Farrell said.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.
“Billy Elliott was strong up front and played himself to a standstill.
“Gavin Olive and Jack Keating in the halves were very good.”
Moruya 24 (tries; Justin Zutt 2, Keating, Hope-Hodges, goals; Craig Cottington 4/4) defeated Cooma 14.
Fillies fillet Sharkettes
MORUYA Sharkettes faced a strong Cooma Fillies out in the ladies’ league tag fixture on Sunday.
The young Fillies were well drilled and proved too slick for the Sharkettes on the day, taking the game 28-8.
The Sharkettes played with just one reserve which forced co-coach Lana Badullovich to don the boots for the first time in the hot conditions.
Sharkettes Hannah Whiting and Jen Roqica crossed the try line and the team showed signs of improvement from last week with better ball movement and some committed defence.
“The girls will take some positives from the game, and will continue to work hard before their next game against Narooma in two weeks time,” Farrell said.
Moruya 8 (tries: Whiting and Roqica) lost to Cooma 28.