Tallon Smith
The Shellharbour Sharks have taken out the Group 7 First Grade Minor Premiership in a dramatic final round courtesy of a 48-4 win over the Jamberoo Superoos at Kevin Walsh Oval.
Led by another incredible performance from halfback and Braxton Wallace, the Sharks dominated the contest from start to finish to secure top spot and a week off when the playoffs begin this coming weekend.
It was Wallace who opened the scoring, slicing through Jamberoo’s left side defence, before almost doubling the dose a few minutes later only to be held up in goal.
Soon after a kick by the Sharks halfback was knocked on in the in-goal, and when the Shellharbour side pounced on it to double their early advantage, the floodgates opened.
The Sharks ran in eight tries, with Wallace booting a perfect eight from eight to go along with his four-pointer.
The injury-hit Superoos did manage to hit the scoresheet late, when a crisp set of passes on a right-side shift sent Ruairi McNamara over in the corner to ensure the home fans had something to cheer about.
Shellharbour Sharks coach Abed Atallah said that while he is proud of his team for accomplishing one of their goals set out at the start of the season, he is also mindful that finals is a whole new ball game.
“It was one of our goals, so we should be pretty proud of achieving that,” he said.
“Semi [finals] start next week, it’s a completely different competition, so we’ll just regroup, rest up some sore bodies, concentrate on getting through this week, and then we’ll worry about next week [then].
“Our reserve grade will be playing next week, as will our third grade, so we’ll try to get around to some footy.”
As for who impressed him the most in the victory, Atallah said that while everyone played their role, he was particularly happy with the performance of some of the Sharks’ big men, as well as their star halfback.
“Across the park I thought we were really good, I thought we had some really good contributors there,” he said.
“Jamberoo have a really good forward pack, so through the middle I thought Brycey [Bryce Magnone], Morgs [Jayden Morgan] and Nick Hay started the game really well for us.
“Braxton is the orchestrator, he did his job, guided us around.
“I thought his kicking in the first half was really good and set up some opportunities for us.
“Across the park everyone did their jobs, and that’s all we need people to be doing at this time of the year.”
The Sharks’ Minor Premiership aspirations were not a sure thing all afternoon, with Kiama giving Shellharbour a run for their money after having a field day of their own in a 44-6 win over Stingrays at Flinders Field.
With both sides a chance of landing top spot heading into the clash, the Knights made sure they were the ones giving themselves the best chance, dominating their fellow top three opponents in the 38-point thrashing.
Centre Max Jennings scored two of Kiama’s seven tries as the Knights booked a home Qualifying final next weekend.
Meanwhile, the severity of the loss means that Stingrays won’t get right of reply in a rematch next week after Albion Park-Oak Flats stole third position from them.
The Eagles had a big win themselves, ending Berry-Shoalhaven Heads’ return season in the First Grade competition with a 46-12 loss at Centenary Field.
Jesse Prinsse and Kane Ball backed up their efforts from last week against Jamberoo, each crossing for doubles again in the win.
Finally, in the lone Sunday match, the Gerringong Lions flexed their muscle in a 46-6 win over the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets at the Bomaderry Sporting Complex.
Wes Pring and Toby Gumley-Quine each scored two tries as the Lions found the form they will need if they are to make a charge from fifth and defend their title once again.
Finals footy kicks off next weekend, with Stingrays to take on Gerringong in the Elimination Final, while Kiama will host Albion Park-Oak Flats in the Qualifying Final, with Shellharbour enjoying the week off.
