George Brown Oval has traditionally been a bit of a graveyard for Moruya sides (2/7 first grade wins since the club reformed in 2012) but this was one that we simply couldn't afford to lose.

To make matters worse, co-captain coach and hooker Hayden Diggins was rushed to hospital on Saturday night with suspected bronchitis/chest infection. That brought about a re-shuffle to the lineup with Kyson Henry and Jack Hyndes added to the first grade squad to share the hooking duties.

The Sharks started well enough but an error gave the home side good field position and they were able to capitalise in the 7th minute with a try to their lock forward. Harrison Baker converted and Eden led 6-0.

Corey Arnold scored out wide. The conversion by Jacob Hill hit the post and was waved away and the sharks trailed 6-4.

The Sharks went set-for-set with the Tigers and were starting to edge the contest physically. A penalty saw the Sharks set up inside the Eden red zone and what came next was pure class/fluke depending on who's version of events you get. Jake Spence took a hit up and was pulled down close to the Eden line, managing to find his front he played the ball quickly to Rhys Burazer who found himself at dummy half. Rhys threw, what was in the Nark's learned opinion, likely the worst pass he's ever thrown to Wade Walker's shins. Wade either had the presence of mind not to snatch at it, or simply couldn't reach it owing to how bad the pass was. The ball bounced off Wade's shins into the in goal area, Wade followed it through, calmly picked up the loose ball and scored next to the posts.

Conversion successful by Hill and the Sharks led 10-6. The Sharks forwards continued to gain the ascendancy both with the ball and in defence. The boys went several sets without an error. While attempting to bring the ball out of their own red zone, a tired Eden forward attempted a risky offload. Jimmy Desaxe read it like last week's paper, picked off the intercept from behind the ruck and had too much pace for the cover defence to scoot the 20 or so metres to the tryline. Conversion successful again by Hill, 16-6 Sharks.

Just when the Sharks were starting to look comfortable, a couple of handling errors and penalties gifted Eden the field position they'd struggled to earn and on the back of a quick play the ball, their hooker scored a smart try under the posts. Conversion successful, 16-12 to the Sharks. The Sharks went back to what had been working for them and Eden were having a tough time getting out of their own half.

The Sharks continued to complete sets, kick to the corners and were well and truly on top in the battle for territory. Eden found themselves camped on their own 10m line late in the set. They shifted the ball left trying to exploit the Sharks compressed defence, the Sharks quickly shifted and looked to have it covered but a silky one handed round the back pass from the Eden left centre sent his winger away down the sideline. Corey Arnold came across in cover with Ray Turner backing up in defence and again Moruya looked to have thwarted the danger only for the winger to grubber in field and find the halfback backing up. He did well to collect the ball off his bootlaces and see off some desperate cover tackles before running 60 or so metres to score under the posts. A tough try to watch for the Moruya faithful but credit where its due, enjoyable for the neutral and the Eden fans certainly enjoyed it. Conversion successful and Eden hit the front 18-16.

A "coach killer" error after points by the home side gifted Moruya possession in the red zone and after running a couple of plays to each edge, Jimmy Desaxe put Jack Grant through half a hole on the right edge and that was enough for the big back rower to plant the ball over the line and steady the ship. Conversion successful, Sharks ahead 22-18 after 58 minutes.

Yuin Campbell was able to score a great try after some good lead up work by just about everyone in the Sharks side with Moruya leading 28-18 and seemingly in control. Right centre Jesse Robertson scored another great team try in the 63rd minute.

A couple of handling errors and a penalty gifted Eden field position and invited them back into the contest with a try on the right edge. Harrison Baker converted and the Sharks were slightly less relaxed, 34-24 with 10 to go. Moruya gifted possession to Eden again and the Sharks contingent were looking over their shoulders and having flashbacks to the previous week. However, some strong goal line defence saw off the Eden challenge and a brilliant solo try by Caine Brierley in the 72nd minute put the game to bed. Conversion successful again by Hill. Read full report, including reserve grade, online.

Mitch Kennedy got the referees 3 points again. Mitch is proving to be an invaluable signing for the club and we have to thank Steve and the crew at Tuross Head Country Club for their assistance in getting Mitch to the Sharks - thanks guys! 2 points went to the Eden hooker who was solid in a beaten side while 1 point went to Jacob Hill who is relishing his role in the backrow. Jack Grant was voted players' player. It was a great team effort to come away with the points, as with reserve grade the boys made it hard for themselves but when it counted they stepped up and the effort is what has the Nark excited!

A big thank you to Ray Turner who played two full games as well as Kyson Henry and "Jock" Hyndes who both starred in reserve grade and then split the hooking duties. Both were obviously gassed but kept turning up. Aaron Stewart and Shane Colebrook also backed up for first grade after playing big minutes in the reserve grade fixture, a big thanks to all those boys.

A couple of injuries combined with a couple of absentees meant the undefeated reserve grade Sharks headed into the game against Candelo-Bemboka United ("CBU") a bit light on troops, with only two players on the bench. Coach Arnold is currently deputising for the injured Kane Duncan in the first grade fullback's role and it was decided that he would be kept fresh and was therefore reduced to a coaching only role for this fixture. CBU fielded a full bench of fresh reserves as well as enjoying a considerable size advantage over the Sharks. With that in mind coach Arnold stressed the importance of controlling the ball and that's exactly what Moruya did for the first 20 or so minutes. The superior fitness of the Sharks allowed the forwards to quickly get on top of their CBU counterparts and on the back of that the visiting side enjoyed the weight of possession and territory during this period.

On the back of the platform created by the forwards and a very smart kicking game by Kyson Henry and Jack Hyndes, Hyndes was able to capitalise on quick play the balls close to the opposition line not once, not twice but thrice. Converted tries to "Jock" - as he was affectionely referred to by the Eden ground announcer - in the 4 th , 9 th and 18 th minutes had theSharks up 18-0 and seemingly in control.

The ref called for a drinks break after Jock's third try and the Sharks' momentum was halted.

The discipline which they displayed in the opening period vanished and CBU started to enjoy some good field position. They were able to capitalise on that in the 27 th minute with an impressive solo try to their halfback. That was converted to take the score to 18-6 and it didn't take long before the home side was in again, this time a converted try to their hooker to take the score to 18-12 and game on.

The crowd of Sharks faithful who made the trip down the coast hoped that an opportunity for Coach Arnold to address his troops at halftime would be the tonic that was required. Again the message was simple, control the ball and do not allow the big CBU forwards to get a roll on.

Unfortunately that message was not heeded and the home side was in again shortly after the half time break. The conversion was unsuccessful this time and that left the Sharks clinging to a slender 18-16 lead. At that stage things were not looking good for the visitors, the home side was well on top and it appeared their ability to keep bringing on fresh legs as well as their size advantage would be too much for the Sharks to handle.

From the kickoff CBU marched straight down field into the Sharks red zone and looked set to score. An infringement saw CBU awarded a penalty 20m out and about 15m in from the sideline. In a decision they are likely regretting, CBU opted to have a shot at goal rather than apply the blowtorch to the tiring Sharks. The shot at goal was waved away and that appeared to be the catalyst the Sharks needed. Experienced front rowers Shane Colebrook and Jacob Hope-Hodgetts stood up when required and Jamie Field - returning for his first game after a 2 long layoff due to injury - started to find some tired defenders around the ruck with some clever dummy half runs.

The Sharks were wrestle back some momentum by controlling the ball and in the 61 st minute, despite cries of "watch the hooker" from just about everyone in Eden, Jock Hyndes (as he will be referred to by the Nark from here on in) took advantage of another quick play the ball close to the CBU line and darted over from dummy half for his 4 th try. Jock missed the conversion but the score was out to 22-16 with just over 10 minutes to go.

Another error after points put the Sharks under some pressure but some strong goal line defence prevented CBU from levelling the scores. From there the Sharks were able to march up the field and on the back of a couple of penalties - which it has to be said were hard to come by for the away side - found themselves in good field position. Another strong running Moruya forward laid on a quick play the ball close to the CBU line and hooker Hyndes was (somehow) able to catch the defence napping and scoot over for his 5 th try in the 66th minute.

He duly converted that and the Sharks looked to be home, leading 28-16.

Another dropped ball after points gave the home side a chance to attack the Sharks line and it looked like the game was headed for a grandstand finish, however the Sharks were able to stand up when necessary and repel the home side and ran out winners 28-16.

Not surprisingly, the referees 3 points went to "Jock" Hyndes. At the time of writing it is not known who got the players player award but if it didn't go to Hyndes then the Nark will deadest do a nude lap at the next home game.

Congratulations to the reggies boys on preserving their undefeated status. While "Jock" will rightly receive plenty of accolades, it must be said that he is the beneficiary playing in a side where each player knows their role and is performing it well. The forwards are laying a strong platform and the backs on either side look well drilled and offer their opposition very little when they have the ball. The team is certainly guilty of lapses in concentration but Coach Arnold should be pleased with the way they muscle up when required. An ankle injury to Anakin Mackie which will see him miss 4-6 weeks the only sour note.

Next game is against Bay Tigers on Saturday, May 15. Reserve Grade 2pm, First Grade 3.30pm.