A late 4pm kick-off meant the game started in bright sunshine and ended in low light and cool evening temperatures.

The Sharks were without representative players Jake Clarke and Dean Scott, who were playing for Greater Southern Region in Forster against Central Coast.

An injury to Caine Brierley and work commitments by Sam Howlett meant that captain/coach Tim Weyman was without four regular first-graders.

Weyman promoted Gavin Olive to first grade’s five-eighth and Jack Keating to the centres.

Under 18s players Jake Zutt, Jock McNaughton, Jesse Robertson and Cohen McGrath were all given their opportunity in the top grade from the bench. 

The game started well for the Sharks.

Dillon Johnston, Wey-man and Shane Cole-brook took charge up front to give the backs some room to shift the ball wide. 

Aaron Brierley posted the first points by creating an overlap and putting the defence in two minds before he casually strolled across to plant the ball.

Olive was next to bother the scorer when he pounced on a well-directed kick into the in goal for a four-pointer.

In the 16th minute Dennis Green showed off his palm, and footwork, to leave the defence clutching at air before planting the ball for another try.

His third conversion from as many attempts took the score to a quick-fire 18-nil.

Bombala benefited from poor discipline by the Sharks and a back-line movement found space on Moruya’s left edge.

The home side scored its first try and Paul Perkins  converted. 

The Blue Heelers rode a wave of momentum and lifted intensity in offence and defence.

Bombala’s captain/

coach Joe Bobbin then crashed through the Sharks’ defence on the edge of the ruck before racing 40 metres to score under the post.

The extras were added and the Sharks’ lead was cut to six points. 

Following the restart, Jacob Hope-Hodgetts led Moruya’s rally and drew two men on the edge of the ruck.

He slipped a nifty pass to winger Shaun Staples, who used his pace and swerve to race 60 metres to score under the posts before the half-time siren.

Moruya led 22-12 at the break and the half-time coach’s talk focused on completing the basics and lifting intensity.  

Moruya returned with a renewed focus and its forwards gained ground up the middle. 

Zutt took advantage of this momentum to step his way through the centre of the ruck before passing to the ever-present Luke Jay, who crossed under the posts.

Green was everywhere in attack and solid in defence and scored next, finishing off a back-line movement.

He converted his own try and the score shot out to 34-12.

The Blue Heelers, who were gallant all game, were still not done and in the 60th minute posted a fairly soft try by Christopher Anderson, who dived between two Sharks defenders.

Weyman then looked to his young bench and unleashed the fresh and enthusiastic bunch.

The reserves did not disappoint and showed plenty of determination and talent.

McNaughton looked dangerous with the ball and solid in defence. 

Robertson stiffened up the defence and tackled anything that moved, which included one try-saving tackle. 

McGrath was on the wing and diffused several dangerous situations with composure under the high ball.

On the back of this renewed enthusiasm, the Sharks mounted several attacks which were stifled by Bombala and poor ball handling. 

Hard-working halfback Matt Jones closed the game with a dummy and stepping back inside some rushing defence to plant the ball adjacent to the posts. 

Green’s conversion took the final score to 40-18.

The Sharks, while a little disjointed due to the forced changes to its line-up, showed that it could dig deep when required. 

Weyman said he was happy with the result and was full of praise for his young recruits. 

“Gavin Olive and Jack Keating stepped up for us and the young guys off the bench were outstanding,” he said.

The best for the Sharks on the night were Dillon Johnston, who worked tirelessly, and Jay and Green also impressed.

The players’ player was shared by Johnston and McNaughton, which was a big wrap for the 17-year-old’s debut first grade game.

The Sharks face Cooma in four grades at Ack Weyman Oval next Sunday.

The under 18s will start proceedings at 10.30am and first grade will hit the paddock at 2.30pm.

Moruya Sharks 40 (tries: Dennis Green 2, Aaron Brierley, Gavin Olive, Shaun Staples, Luke Jay and Matt Jones; goals: Dennis Green 6/7) defeated Bombala Blue Heelers 18.