Sharks win Minor Premiership

The New Jersey Sharks cast aside demons of years past and played near perfect football to beat the AMNRL competition favourites Media Mantarays in the last game of the regular season. The win now gives the 5 year old club the Minor Premiership and number one spot in the playoffs giving them a bye next week.

Played near 100 F weather in Media, PA, both sides opted to play 20 minute quarters so that the players could keep break and remain properly hydrated throughout the match. The Sharks were also playing with a line-up that has shown the effects of a full season with several key players out injured or playing with niggling injuries that forced them away from some of the action.

Media were also showing signs of a tough season with several players out after a bruising encounter from the Bulls the week before. Both teams came into the game knowing which ever team won, would likely take the top spot and get the weeks rest.

The Sharks got off to a great start opening up a 12-0 lead with tries from Kevin Castner and Zach Padgett. As Media has done all season, the Mantarays came right back with two tries of their own to make the score 12-10. Media bounced back with a fifty-meter try from forward Justin Zadnick to put the Sharks up 18-10. Media scored right before the break but failed to convert and went into half-time trailing 18 - 14.

The second half was a different story when the Sharks scored right out of the gate and the Sharks never let up with tries from Hooker Sal Raniello, Center Bart, Dave C., Forward Ben Ferrar and Zach Padgett. New Jersey’s defensive really stood out as well forcing Media to turn the ball over on several key occasions. For nearly the entire second half, Media was kept out of their endzone and only scored in the dying minutes to close out a disappointing second half effort.

Media center Ric Dortone commented after the match "The Sharks did all the simply things right tonight and we could only watch them. This was the worst we played all year but I am glad it is still the regular season and not the playoffs".

Sharks Chief Executive Fred Backaus was delighted after the game but still focused on what was left to be done to close out the season. "The next 2 games are what matters now and we need to win one at a time for it to mean anything"

While the win was still cause for celebration, a cheap shot during the game from Sharks star fly-half Dave Cunfflict warranted him a sin-bin where he was then reported to take it further against the touch judge when leaving the field. The matter is under review with the disciplinary committee.

Final Score: New Jersey Sharks 58 defeated Media Mantarays 18

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