A TRY in the final minute by fullback Ian Catania gave the Shellharbour City Sharks a dramatic but lucky 26-22 victory over the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets at Ron Costello Oval On Sunday in a game where each team scored five tries.
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Moments earlier the Jets looked set for victory with winger Mark Brandon showing the opposition a clean pair of heals in a 75-metre sideline dash only to be recalled for a forward pass.
The Jets did their goal kicker Ryan James no favours by scoring their first four tries near the touchline, none of which were converted and at half-time the score line was 12-12 and with five minutes to play 22-22.
Brock Skelly opened the scoring after good work from Matt Hillcoat and Hans Schuster and Dormer converted and it was 6-0 to the Sharks before and excellent try by Jets five-eighth Steve Brandon made it 6-4.
Both teams had 40/20’s and Nowra-Bomaderry were certain to score only for hooker Nathan Deaves to drop the ball under the posts and six points went begging.
Then the Sharks fullback Catania, who had a great game scored for Bronx Goodwin to convert and take the score to 12-4.
A long pass resulted in Jets winger Mark Brandon scoring in the corner and a strong Nowra attack on half-time resulted in a Geoff Johnson try but again the kick was astray and the teams were tied 12-12 at half time.
Penalties placed the Sharks on the attack and Ben Stratton scored a soft try and from a bomb forward Jacob Condello scored for Goodwin to convert and the Sharks appeared well on top at 22-12, 15 minutes into the second half.
However the Jets came back strongly when winger Isaac Mumberson scored a good try to narrow the deficit to four points before veteran forward Mick Blattner caught the Sharks defence off guard, diving over under the posts from a tap penalty and finally James raised the flags to level at 22-22.
Johnson attempted a field goal but the kick was wide and after the Brandon run being called back the Jets appeared to hesitate for a moment and Catania pounced to score and Goodwin failed to convert and the Sharks were in front 26-22 and the Jets could be considered very unlucky.
For the Sharks Ian Catania, Jacob Condello and Craig Stapleton had big games and for the Jets Steve Brandon, Geoff Johnson, Nathan Deaves and Mark Brandon were stars.