THE marauding Moruya Sharks won the long awaited clash against Batemans Bay 30-6 at Mackay Park on Saturday night.
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In front of a large crowd, the two clubs hit the paddock to play for competition points for the first time since Batemans Bay moved to back to Group 16.
To add further spice to the contest, the two clubs were playing for the Donna McClelland Charity Shield, and Moruya was keen to wrestle back the trophy from Tigers.
From the kick-off, the Sharks defence showed its intentions early and forced the Tigers backwards.
The Sharks capitalised on good field position with a good back line move that put winger Hayden Murray across the try line in the corner.
Dennis Green missed the tough conversion and the Sharks leapt to a 4-nil lead after five minutes.
On the Sharks’ next attack, a deflected grubber from Aaron Brierley sat up for centre Pat McMahon, who toed the ball on, before he picked it up and ran it behind the uprights for an easier conversion.
However, Green couldn’t take advantage of the improved angle and the score remained 8-nil.
For the next 10 minutes the Tigers dug deep, but a dropped bomb on their own try line gave Aaron Brierley an easy four-pointer, which was converted by Green, and Moruya led 14-nil.
The growing deficit spurred the Tigers into some enterprising attack.
Mason Harrison provided the spark the home side needed when his well-directed grubber ricocheted off the goal posts back to himself for try under the posts.
Jim Thomas potted the conversion and the Tigers reduced the margin to 14-6.
Over the next 10 minutes before the half-time both sides launched attacking raids but dropped balls, and defused bombs meant the score remained the same at the break.
In the second stanza both sides came out with enthusiasm, looking to score first.
However, the Sharks’ defensive line held firm, as did the Tigers.
After 18 minutes Aaron Brierley broke through the defence on an angled run and scored his second four-pointer under the posts.
The Sharks were well in control for the remaining minutes of the second stanza and scored two more tries through Jacob Hope-Hodgetts and Caine Brierley.
At full-time the Sharks were worthy 30-6 winners of the local derby and charity shield match.
Bay Tigers’ spokesman John Ladmore said the club “lost a bit of fur” when they went down in three grades to Moruya.
“The Sharks were pretty dominant for most of the game and were bit too good on the day,” Ladmore said.
“Captain Mason Harrison led from the front and got solid support from Mick Tadich, Jake Cowling, Gerard Dennis, Marcus Golman, Jim Thomas and Jack Leggett, but it wasn’t enough to hold out the Sharks.”
Sharks’ president Dave Farrell was rapt in first grade’s forward pack.
“The best for the Sharks in a good team effort were the men up front,” Farrell said.
Aaron Brierley showed his class in patches and earned high praise from his skipper and Jake Clarke, despite being heavily marked, created good opportunities out wide.
“Luke Jay put in another great defensive performance and created havoc for the Bay defence around the rucks,” Farrell said.
“Centres Caine Brierley and Pat McMahon were solid as always, while Dennis Green at fullback, and Shaun Staples on the wing, were safe under the high ball and ran the ball back with purpose.”
The Sharks had good service from Sam Howlett, who filled in halfback for Matt Jones and 17-year-old Jacob Zutt “looked every bit a first grader” filling in on the bench.
Moruya captain/coach Tim Weyman was presented the charity shield following the win.
He praised his opponent’s for their performance and looked forward to hosting the Tigers in round 14 at Moruya.
“The score did not reflect just how tough the game was,” Weyman said.
Moruya 30 (tries: Aaron Brierley 2, Caine Brierley, Pat McMahon, Hayden Murray and Jacob Hope-Hodgetts, goals: Dennis Green 3) defeated Batemans Bay 6 (tries: Mason Harrison, goals: Jim Thomas).