The reserve grade clash was expected to be a tight affair with both Bega and Moruya undefeated. 

Bega went in as favourites after big wins against the highly-fancied Eden and Bemboka sides.

The Sharks were forced to move Craig Cottington to halfback to cover the injury to Shane Ayton and PJ Cullen moved to fullback.  

The Sharks also welcomed back club favourite and hard-working forward Billy Elliott, as well as big forward Jacob Hope-Hodges.

The game started in the worst possible manner for the Sharks when Bega posted a try after just two minutes. 

The Sharks responded quickly through tries to Cohen Mcgrath, Justin Zutt, Gavin Olive and Troy Potts.

The home side found success by running the big Bega pack around and then attacking the edges with their smaller, more mobile pack and outside backs.

At half-time Moruya had a solid 20-10 lead.  

Bega resumed the second half with another fast start and the Sharks’ lead was cut to just four points after a minute of the stanza. 

Cottington managed to respond with a converted try to take the score to 26-16 in the Sharks’ favour.

Over the next 15 minutes it was a dour struggle for the ascendency until Bega cut Moruya’s lead to six points with 12 minutes to play. 

The visitors were desperate to breach Moruya’s defensive line, but the home side’s committed defence kept them out until seconds remained, and a Rooster scored out wide.

Fortunately for Moruya the conversion missed and the Sharks ran out 26-24 winners.

Coach Michael Cottington was proud of his team’s effort and praised their commitment in defence. 

Cottington singled out Cohen McGrath, for his effort backing up from the under 18s, Gavin Olive and the performance of senior players Justin Zutt, Mervyn Brierley and Brent Ayton. 

Moruya Sharks 26 (tries: McGrath, Zutt, Olive, Potts, Cottington. Goals: Cottington 3) defeated Bega Roosters 24. 

Chicks claw Sharkettes 

THE Moruya Sharkettes lined up against the formidable Bega Chicks outfit on Mother’s Day.

The Sharkettes were in the game at half-time and trailed 12-4.

However, in the second half Bega’s speed and experience proved too much for Moruya and the Chicks won 32-8. 

Hannah Cadogan has made a habit of finding the try line and scoreed both tries for Moruya on Sunday.

“The final score was probably not a true reflection on how hard the Sharkettes competed,” club secretary John Cornall said.

Bega Chicks 32 defeated Moruya Sharkettes 8 (tries: Hannah Cadogan 2). 

Bega remains undefeated in under 18s

MORUYA Sharks under 18s lined up against the undefeated Bega Roosters, a side which had been putting teams to the sword early in the competition.

The Sharks were also undefeated have drawn Cooma but were expecting a step up against the Roosters. 

Bega was first to post points, but the home side hit back through Casey Jackson.

Jacob Zutt converted for a 6-all score line. 

Prior to half-time Bega posted its second try but the Sharks remained in striking distance, trailing 12-6 at the break.

When play resumed Bega scored another try before the game turned into a tug-of-war for the next 20 minutes.

The visitors ran in three late tries against the tired Moruya defence and the score blew out to 32-6 at full-time.

“The score did not reflect the true contest and fight of the Sharks against a much bigger Rooster outfit,” Cornall said. 

Under 18s coach Lee Nye was pleased with the boys’ commitment but was also concerned by errors which put the team under constant pressure.

Nye made special mention of the efforts of Jesse Robertson, who played despite being ill, Cohen McGrath, Jake Zutt and Jock McNaughton.

Bega Roosters under 18s 32 defeated Moruya Sharks under 18s Moruya 6 (tries: Casey Jackson. Goals: Jacob Zutt).