Sharks suffer last-minute heartbreak against Broncos

The Broncos stormed to their sixth win on the trot on Saturday when a late try to Chelsea Lenarduzzi gave them a 20-16 win over the Sharks.

Trailing 16-14 inside the last minute, the Broncos launched a late raid and Lenarduzzi powered over from close range to continue her side's golden run.

The Broncos got off to a flyer in the fifth minute when a classy offload from Lenarduzzi provided the opportunity for a sweep to the left where Stacey Waaka for her sixth try in six games this season.

The Sharks hit back in the 15th minute when Ellie Johnston beat four defenders to power over from close range and Tayla Preston converted for a 6-4 lead.

On the back of four consecutive sets inside the red zone the Sharks finally got over the line through Filomina Hanisi but replays showed she had lost control of the ball as she tried to get it down and the four points went begging.

The Broncos were then rewarded for their gritty defence when they worked they worked their way upfield and Gayle Broughton deceived the Sharks with a dummy and dotted down to give Scott Prince's side a 10-6 lead at the break.

The Sharks made the perfect start to the second term when Hanisi busted the line and quick hands by Georgia Hannaway and Tiana Penitani created space for Cassie Staples to score in the corner to lock it up at 10-10.

Sharks winger Georgia Ravics then came up with two huge plays - denying Julia Robinson at one end and then flying high to pull down a Tayla Preston bomb to score and make it 16-10.

With 15 minutes to play the Broncos went left through Broughton and the ball found its way to Robinson who made amends for her earlier miss, touching down to pull her side back within two points.

The Broncos then launched one final raid and Lenarduzzi powered over from close range to give her side the lead in a thrilling finish.

The victory lifts the three-time premiers to the top of the ladder as they gear up for yet another finals series.