Sharks Survive Scare Against Slayers

Written by: Phil Shipos & Grant Nicholson

With temperatures soaring in the upper 90’s in Levittown on Saturday, the Sharks welcomed the DC Slayers to Shark Park. The Sharks, currently atop the Franklin Conference, looked to widen their lead versus a Slayer side that was still looking for their first win of the 2005 season. Despite a strong showing for DC, the Sharks came out eventual winners 44-38.

The game was delayed over two hours due to heavy traffic for the travelling side and the wait showed on the Sharks in the opening period. The Slayers looked fresh and scored on their first series taking a 6-0 lead. Two minutes later, the Sharks struck with a try of their own, with a strong run from winger George (conversion by Steve Thompson, 6-6). On the ensuing set, a Sharks mistake led directly to another Slayers score (10-6).

Both sides would exchange two more tries a piece making the score 22-16 Slayers at the half. Sharks tries were scored through strong runs from forward Zach Padgett and Justin Zadnik. Slayers tries were both "length of the field" scores resulting from Shark mistakes deep within striking distance of blowing the score wide open. Instead of making it a four try lead, the Sharks went into the half shaking their heads.

“Sitting around for a few hours in that heat before the game didn’t help the boys at all,” mention Shark Management. “I don’t think our boys ever recuperated and we were lucky to come out only down 6 at the half.”

With the Sharks backs to the wall, the offense finally took off. Two length of the field tries to Padgett and the “Ageless” Fred Bachaus put the Sharks ahead 28-22. Again the Slayers came right back with a try of their own to make the score 28-28 with 15 minutes of play remaining.

The final 15 minutes saw a traditional Shark side with scrappy defense and quick offensive work. Two tries under the posts to forward Grant Nicholson and hooker Sal Raniello saw the Sharks take a commanding lead 38-28. The Slayers clawed their back to within a try after putting one away in the corner to make the score 38-32.
With time running down on the clock, fullback Phil Shipos took a ball from dummy half up the middle of the Slayer defense for a 50 meter score and a lead of 44-32. A Slayer score at the buzzer made the final a bit more respectable at 44-38.

The Sharks have the week off for the 4th of July holiday before taking on an improved Media/Delaware Valley Mantaray outfit at "Shark Park" on Thursday, July 14th.
Be sure to follow the Sharks on their quest for the 2005 AMNRL championship at http://njsharks.rleague.com

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