THE Jamberoo Superoos have rained on the Shellharbour Sharks centenary celebrations after scoring a convincing 26-12 victory at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday.
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With a plethora of former club players and officials in attendance at the game and a centenary dinner and announcement of the 'Team of the Century' at the Shellharbour Club afterwards, the Sharks were determined to end the Superoos unbeaten start to the season and boost their semi-final hopes, but in the end, the visitors emerged as five tries to two winners.
As expected, the Sharks started on fire, and on the back of a steady flow of possession after back-to-back penalties, they were first on the board when front-rower Liam Ryan stormed over beside the posts in just the fourth minute.
Matt Carroll converted to give his side a perfect 6-nil start.
After not playing for two weeks, due to last week's game postponement against the Jets because of COVID-19 concerns, the Jamberoo side wasn't at their free-flowing best and missed a couple of golden opportunities.
However, they persisted and finally managed to open their account in the 23rd minute when they spread the ball wide on the last tackle and centre Jake Clarke showed his opposite number a clean pair of heels to race over in the corner.
Daniel Burke was unable to convert and the Sharks clung to a 6-4 lead.
Both sides were still testing each other out, however, it was a five minute period late in the first half that proved crucial.
Firstly Superoos five-eighth Mark Asquith showed his class when he burst straight through the Sharks forwards and found fullback Jarryd Smith backing up to score beside the posts.
Corey Grigg's conversion put his side in front 10-6, however it was a rare blunder from Sharks captain Matt Carroll that then proved crucial.
The Sharks were looking to come out and turn the momentum, however, it was the Superoos who took a stranglehold on the game when Mark Asquith almost strolled over under the posts 10 minutes after the resumption after concerted attack.
Grigg converted for a big 20-6 lead.
The Sharks did get a reprieve with 11 minutes remaining when, with the Jamberoo side on the attack, flying winger Jye Brooker took the odds on a long pass from Jayden Morgan deep on the attack and celebrated his 50th first grade game by running 80 metres to score under the posts.
Carroll, despite an injured ankle, converted and gave his side a glimmer of hope at 20-12.
However, order was restored for the Superoos just three minutes later when Kyle Stone went within inches of scoring but from the next play, Morgan sent Mark Asquith for his second try to wrap up a deserved 26-12 win.
In a top team display, Jake Clarke, Corey Grigg, the Asquith brothers and Kyle Stone starred, while Jack Scurr made a big impact off the bench for the Jamberoo team.
Brad Chapman gave a non-stop display at lock for the Sharks, while Kane Chapman, Liam Ryan and Declan Morrissy all had some good moments.
The Superoos will return home next Saturday in rivalry round to take on the Kiama Knights, while the Sharks travel to Cec Glenholmes Oval to take on the Gorillas on Sunday.
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