THE Mid North Coast Sharks exceeded everyone’s expectations, including their own, at the Oztag Australian Titles in Coffs Harbour on the weekend.
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Consisting of 13 Port Macquarie players, as well as two from Newcastle and one from Coffs Harbour, the over 35 years’ outfit stepped onto the grand final stage against the Country Bulls.
While the Central Coast unit grabbed the honours 4-3 in the decider, the Sharks certainly gained the respect from their rivals in the largest division of the tournament.
“The boys were stoked, we never expected to do so well,” team representative Greg Smith told the Port News.
“We also lost two players to injury on the Saturday, which hampered our cause.
“In the end, it was quite an achievement to reach the grand final, considering we are such a small competition compared to the likes of the Central Coast, Souths, Cronulla and Queensland.”
The Sharks started their campaign on the right foot with a 6-0 victory over the Barbarians on Friday.
A 2-all draw with Northern NSW less than 24 hours later put the “locals” on top of their pool.
Wins over the South Scorpions (4-2) and ACT’s Southern Regions (6-3) elevated the Sharks to the quarter-final – and a showdown with the Scorpions again.
The team prevailed to the tune of 6-3, and then accounted for the Queensland Dolphins 5-3 in the major semi.
In the finale, the Sharks enjoyed a 1-0 lead, however they trailed 2-1 at the break.
After going try-for-try with the Bulls early in the second half, the Country squad eventually squeezed out a 4-3 triumph.
The Mid North Coast Sharks boasted the talents of Port Macquarie’s Deon Glassie, Wayne Tipp, Greg Gleeson, Matt Rogers, Ashley Miller, Anthony Murphy, Kevin Eames, Steve Kipreotis, Jason New, Greg Smith, Robbie Tipp, Matt Evans, Ben Sala and Dave Pensini, Newcastle duo Mark Smith and Paul Dickson, and Kris Watson, of Coffs Harbour.
