JAMBEROO and Shellharbour City have produced one of the VB South Coast Rugby League’s most exciting games, with the Superoos producing a thrilling finish to score a superb 23-22 win at Kevin Walsh Oval on Sunday.
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Trailing 20-10 with 11 minutes remaining, the home side scored two exciting tries, while fullback Trent Ryan, in just him third game of the season, landed two pressure conversions, including one from the sideline to tie the scores, then a field-goal with seconds remaining to clinch the win.
The Sharks were strong early and after keeping the home side out, produced two classy tries in the opening 20 minutes.
The first came when half Matt Carroll threw a long pass to give centre Kurt Field room and veteran winger Jamie Manukonga plunged over in the corner.
Almost from the kick-off the Sharks produced another great effort when Carroll was again heavily involved and fullback Danny Sartori scored out wide.
Carroll converted as the visitors looked well in control with a 10-nil lead.
Jamberoo managed to stop the carnage and closed the gap in the 33rd minute when winger Josh Saunders scored out wide, but Matt Coelho was unable to convert, as the Sharks went to the break ahead 10-4.
A good start to the second half was vital and it was the Sharks who took the advantage when an early mistake from the Superoos gave Carroll another chance to work his magic and a long ball to Kurt Field who showed his speed to plunge over out wide.
Carroll landed the conversion and the visitors looked well on their way at 16-4.
But the Superoos weren’t about to give up and four minutes later a kick into the corner seemed to confuse the defence and centre Corey Grigg was on hand to grab the ball and race over under the posts.
Coelho converted to close the gap to six.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, the Shellharbour side seemed to wrap up the points when Carroll capitalised on tired defence up the middle of the field to step his way over under the posts and convert for a 22-10 lead.
No-one, even the most diehard Superoos supporter, could imagine what was to happen next.
In the 68th minute great work by Luke and James Asquith from inside their own half put the home side on the attack and a wide pass from Mark Asquith gave Saunders, now playing in the centres, room to move and he scored wide out.
Trent Ryan converted to close the gap to six.
From the kick-off it was the younger of the Asquith trio Luke, who put his hand up as he burst straight up the middle and put his side in great field position and half Jono Dallas took on the tired defence and sent a superb long ball for winger Andrew Clarke who dived over in the corner.
Ryan calmly landed the pressure conversion from touch to tie the scores at 22-all.
With their tales up and the home crowd roaring, Jamberoo launched one last attack, and referee William Drury, who was officiating in his milestone 450th game in the centre, awarded Jamberoo a penalty, their only penalty of the second half, with less than 30 seconds remaining.
A quickly taken kick put them within striking distance and in just two tackles they set to up a chance for Ryan who landed the winning field-goal from 25 metres out with seconds remaining on the clock.
In a game that Group officials regarded as the best of the season, Luke Asquith, AJ Hatch, Josh Saunders, James Asquith and Luke Gilmore played strongly, while Carroll has a superb game for the Sharks, supported by James Ralphs, Kurt Field, Danny Sartori and James Keelan.