The regular season wrapped up with mixed results for the Sharks. Early in the morning it was two good wins for the u10s and u15s at the Sharkpool. When Seniors began it was a day where we thanked one of the Clubs most amazing sponsors, Stan Priestley from Erina Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy. Stan has been giving his time and knowledge to the Club and our players for over a decade. There wouldn't be a grade player who hasnt been patched up, picked up or strapped up by Stan over those years. No value can be placed on a sponsorship that that is so important to the ongoing health and fitness of our members.On the fields the thirsty thirds played one of their best games of the year to push the 2nd placed Lakes team all the way before going down 12-15. Huge thanks to the players due to start higher grades who helped out at the start and when some fresh legs were needed. Club spirit is a great thing when you see it in the players who just want to help any way they can! Fairly sure that is the first 3rds game for Liam Donsworth who basically jumped straight into first grade (where he has excelled for the past two seasons) while still a Colt in 2017. Tries to both wingers from the u19s, Max Finn & Oscar Bath, with 2nds coach Dylan Hardaker kicking a conversion. 1pt to a couple of the more mature players, Chris Lewis & Matthew Malakou (both have plenty more years in them), 2pts Nick Rendall, 3pts Jordan Davies in his first game since his initial army training was completed. Big Nick Rendall the players player. In seconds the game wasn't very old when a serious leg injury to a Lakes player occurred .. and there was Stan - calm and taking control while waiting for the ambulance and not leaving the player until he was safely on his way to hospital. The thoughts of all the Club are with Tyler Holt, hoping for a speedy recovery from the very bad injury. When play resumed we were first to score through a Ben Francis try, and he is a try scorer - knows his way to the line and doesnt matter if he is playing 6, 7,8,12 or 13. Another of our young Colts with so much potential. They replied with a converted try to take the lead and then a tense run in to full time before we were awarded a penalty about 35m out and solid wind (lets call it a gale) blowing. A quick look around and the responsibility for the kick fell to Jack Magriplis (fresh from his first grade debut last week) who stepped up and got the ball between the posts for an 8-7 lead that we held on to through to final whistle. 1pt to the halves combo of Rob Magrath & Matt Kiddle, 2pts against his old team to Joel Delaney, 3pts and a share of players player to coach Dylan Hardaker who ran out at #8 when that was a vacancy on the sign on sheet, he was able to get off the field but had to return in centres to finish the game . An amazing tackling effort that stopped every opponent who got anywhere near him. Blake Jacob was the other players player recipient, for a man who should not have been playing again this season after his work accident, his level of play has been fantastic .. even though the long break meant he did have to go up a size in his shorts. Firsts ran out with an extremely tiny chance of making the finals, totally dependent on other games to even have that chance. Like many times this year they showed that they can match and better any team in the comp and went to the break with a 12-7 lead. The Lakes did hit back through there very athletic and strong running game and jumped to a 12-26 lead. That could easily have a blow out, but our boys wanted the win and fought back strongly. At 19-26 with time left they got over the line again but couldn't get the ball down and despite fighting to the end couldn't get that extra score to tie the game up. A gutsy effort with more team changes needed to cover injuries, the story of the season. Congratulations to Will Byrne & Jordan Davies who made their run on debuts in Firsts and to Matt Kiddle who has come back really well from a knee injury to get some game time in the top grade off the bench. 2 tries to Luke Sheridan, Dylan Cadogan a try and a conversion and Will Byrne the other conversion. 1pt Matthew Ritchie in probably his best game for the Club & Mitchell Jacob who has to be the toughest running centre in the comp, 2pts to Pete Steele proving he has many more years in him and 3pts and players player to Reece Jacobs the youngest man on the team who has walked into the #10 position over the past few weeks and played like a veteran despite only just turning 18 last week. In the change rooms afterwards there was a farewell to Dylan Cadogan who will be returning home to Ireland, his speech in response was from the heart and all i can say is that we are already waiting for the time he can return for another season with the Sharks.. good luck in whatever your future holds Dylan you will be long remembered at this Club! In seniors next week the womens 7s team are in their minor semi and the following week the u19s will be playing the major semi. Nearly all of our Junior comp age teams will be playing in their finals series next week, so plenty of opportunities still for you to support the Sharks. Thanks you to every player from u7s to Firsts who taken the field for the Club and finished their playing for the year .. enjoy the summer and see you next season! Cheers Boys & Girls!
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February 2019
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