The Moruya Sharks hit the paddock keen to start their 2017 season with a win as they attempt to defend their 2016 title.
The Sharks were close to full strength with just Shaun Staples and Jacob Hope-Hodgetts unavailable for selection.
Eden were the first to score through new signing, fullback Toby Whitehead, who stepped through some flimsy Sharks defence.
The Sharks responded through a try to Jermaine Donnelly out wide, which was converted by Dennis Green.
The Tigers were next to bother the scorer when centre Daniel Smith crossed out wide. Once again the Sharks responded when Aaron Brierley took on the defence before slipping a ball to Dean Scott to cross adjacent to the goalposts.
Greens conversion taking the score to 12-10 in favour of the Sharks, a lead which the teams looked like taking to half-time, until Eden scored a soft try through Brad Pocock right on the half-time siren, taking the score to 16-12.
A shoulder injury forcing talented young forward Luc Hill from the field early reducing the Sharks’ stocks and using up interchange cards.
It took until the 16th minute of the second stanza before the Sharks were able to score when Dean Scott forced his way across the stripe.
In the 60th minute the game took a new twist when Aaron Brierley was fouled in a tackle by Eden’s five-eight Greg Nicholson. Brierley’s retaliation saw both players taking early showers courtesy of referee Ray Ryan, with the game in the balance.
As was the flow of the game, the Tigers were next to respond when a blindside raid resulted in Smith crossing for his second try for the afternoon. Whitehead converted to have the Sharks trailing 22-18 with just 15 minutes remaining.
The Sharks were looking for a spark, but with Brierley in the showers, Weyman and Luc Hill on the bench and captain Dennis Green on one leg, it was difficult to see where the spark would come as fatigue became a factor.
The spark came in the name of Jacob Hill in the 71st minute, when the talented number 7 chipped through from near halfway, regathered and outpaced the defence to score between the posts. Hill converted his own try to have the Sharks back in the lead 24-22.
Some poor ball control and some missed tackles had Eden on the attack as they tried to erase the difference. A try-saving tackle by Caine Brierley kept the Shark’s noses in front as they defended in their own 20.
With just 90 seconds remaining, a mistake by Eden had a scrum packing down on the Sharks’ 20-metre line. Jacob Hill picked the ball up from the scrum and raced 80 metres to once again dive between the sticks.
Hill converted his second try as the full time sounded in the background to give the Sharks a hard fought victory over a spirited opposition.
Among the best for the Sharks were Alec Stewart who toiled all game. Jermaine Connolly was solid on the wing and Jacob Zutt and Luke Jay worked hard up front. Dean Scott looked good in his first game back while young guns Zac Ingram and Chris O’Meley made the most of their game time to impress.
Tries: Dean Scott 2, Jacob Hill 2, Jermaine Connolly. Goals: Dennis Green 3/3, Jacob Hill 2/2.
Next week the Sharks are at home against the combined Narooma / Candello-Bemboka joint venture.
Reserves
Coach Mervyn Brierley led his side onto the paddock for the first time in 2017 against a spirited Cobargo outfit.
The first half was a tight affair with some tough defence and strong runs as the sides tried to gain ascendancy. It was the Eels that posted first points to take an early 4-0 lead, before the sharks levelled through a try to Barney Campbell off the back of a good backline raid.
Cobargo were next to post points with a converted try, before the sharks hit back with another try out wide this time through classy centre Rhys Nye, the Eels taking a narrow 10-8 lead into half time.
The second half saw the Sharks with better ball security take advantage of their superior possession to take control on the scoreboard. Two more tries to Barney Campbell, along with tries to Andrew Stewart, Merv Brierley and Toby Anderson blowing the score out to 28-10 at full time.
The score could have been much better if the Sharks were able to convert any of their seven tries.
The Sharks showed that their mixture of youth and experience will provide a solid foundation for the season ahead. Among the best for the sharks were Scott Belcher, Corey Arnold, Toby Anderson, Gavin Olive, Reece Nye and Barney Campbell with his hat-trick of tries for the game.
Tries: Barney Campbell 3, Reece Nye, Andrew Stewart, Merv Brierley, Toby Anderson.
League tag
The Sharkettes were out to continue their strong form from the Group 16 Nines when they took to the pitch against Eden.
The sharkettes were able to cross the try-line two times in the first half with Ellie Doherty and Hannah Cadogan posting 4 pointers for a 8-0 lead.
The second half began with Hayley Johnstone extending the lead for the visitors to 12-0 prior to Eden hitting back with a converted try of their own.
The game wrapping up with Rosie Scott crossing for the Sharkettes, taking the full time score to 16 points to 6.
Tries: Ellie Doherty, Hannah Cadogan, Hayley Johnstone, Rosie Scott.
Coach Shaun Pike was pleased with the girls efforts and looks forward to the challenge of two games next week at home, when the girls play both Narooma and CBU on Sunday.
Under 18s
The day started with the Under 18’s taking on an understrength Eden side with only 10 players available. To facilitate this the sharks numbered down so as to ensure the teams had a competitive game.
The first half was a tight affair as the teams felt each other out as they vied for supremacy. The Sharks having the better of the battle, taking a 14-6 lead to the half time break. The second half saw the sharks with better ball control take charge of the game piling on 3 second half tries to run out winners 32-6.
Tries: Jack Hyndes, James Bundy, Tyson Beaudean, Jacob Peck, Lachlan Ingram 2
Goals: Jack Hyndes 3, Lachlan Ingram 1.
Coach Corey Arnold, pleased with his team’s performance after a disrupted pre-season due to the rain. Among the best for the sharks were Finbar McNaughton, James Bundy, Jack Griffiths and Lachlan Ingram.
