Flegg Sharks draw the ladder-leaders

Fielding a team vastly different to the one selected earlier in the week, the Jersey Flegg Sharks have finished in a 20-all draw with the Penrith Panthers. 

With both squads affected by the COVID situation as players were called up to fill in for the respective NSW Cup teams, the match was evenly fought, the Sharks appearing to have claimed the points until a last minute try levelled the match. 

It was both pleasing for incoming coach Andrew Dallalana in holding the ladder-leading Panthers to a draw, and at the same time disappointing his team couldn't hold their opponents out and claim a victory. 

In a match transferred from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, the Sharks came out of the blocks strongly, two tries, one to centre James Coyne, the second to hooker Isaac Longmuir and the Cronulla side had a handy 10-0 lead.

The Panthers battled back to level the scores, before lock Blake Hosking got across the line and the Cronulla side would take a 14-10 advantage to half time. 

A try to Penrith prop Mavrik Geyer put his team in front 16-14 but when skipper Jack Boyling responded in the 51st minute, with Longmuir converting and the Sharks had a lead once again. 

With time running out on the Panthers they mounted one final attacking raid, managed a try out wide and when the conversion on the stroke of full time drifted wide, the teams would have to be content with one competition point each. 

The Sharks moved into third on the Jersey Flegg ladder, while the Panthers remain on top after the completion of round nine matches. 

All teams in the Jersey Flegg competition have a bye next week, with the next assignment for the Sharks a match against St George in round 11. 

SHARKS 
Isaac Longmuir, Jack Boyling, James Coyne, Blake Hosking tries, Jorda Samrani, Longmuir goals
drew with
PANTHERS 20