THE Stingrays of Shellharbour ended 1100 days of Group Seven Rugby League heartache on Sunday, by recording their first victory in more than three seasons.
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Making the feat even sweeter is the fact they did it against crosstown rivals the Sharks in the seventh annual Shellharbour Showdown.
In the previous six meetings, the Sharks had a combined winning aggregate of 392-26 - including a 68-nil thrashing in their last meeting.
But that meant little for this year's Stingrays, who are a vastly improved side under new co-coaches Brad and Greg 'Buster' Reh.
In front of a raucous crowd at Flinders Field, the hosts opened the scoring in the ninth minute through dynamic centre Chanse Perham, following a sharp pass by fullback Josh Ward.
That lead was doubled 12 minutes later when hard-running back-rower Anthony Nabbe barged over, after a sharp scoot out of dummy-half by Jayden Sergeant.
McLaurin again missed the kick and it was 8-nil.
In the 28th minute, the Rays scored their third try - this time through influential playmaker Zaan Weatherall.
Following strong runs by Tyson Owen and Nabbe, the halfback bullied his way over, to register his team's third try of the afternoon - all of which had been on the lefthand side of the field.
Kicking into the wind, the conversion attempt by McLaurin was again missed, as the hosts went into half-time up 12-nil.
Knowing they needed to score next, the Sharks, following a half-time rev up by coach Abed Atallah, finally crossed for their first points.
After sustained pressure, five-eighth Nick Greenhalgh did it all himself in the 50th minute, to reach over the score.
Halves partner Matt Carroll converted from close to in front and it was suddenly 12-6.
But the hosts' lead was soon extended, when smart second-phase play by McLaurin and Kaden Towle set up Nabbe, who cut in from the left and hit a hole, to score his second.
McLaurin landed his first kick of the match and it was 18-6.
That try galvanised the hosts, who following the three-quarter-time drinks break, had their fourth.
On a simple cut back play from Towle, man-mountain Jake Kamire smashed his way over the score under the sticks, despite the efforts of four Sharks' defenders.
McLaurin converted and it was 24-6 with 17 to play.
Refusing to die wondering, the Sharks hit back three minutes later through centre Wayde Aitken - with Carroll's conversion making it 24-12.
In the final 10 minutes, a penalty and field goal by McLaurin put the result beyond doubt for the hosts, despite a late try to Kiran Tranter.
Carroll's conversion helped close the margin but it finished 27-18 to the Rays - which sealed the club's first ever clean sweep of the Sharks, after winning all five grades on Sunday.
In the historic victory, Weatherall, skipper Kieran Rankmore, Kamire, Perham and Josh Ward were standouts, while Juvilee Samiu, Greenhalgh, Kiran Tranter and Ryan McCracken did all they could for the visitors.
Next up for the victors is a clash with Kiama at Flinders Field, while the Sharks travel to the Bomaderry Sporting Complex to face the Jets - with both fixtures being played on Sunday.