WHEN the Settlers Sharks took the field with just nine men to start their Bun Hayward Cup elimination clash with Beechwood, few would have given them any chance of recording a win.
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But, as Hastings League president Geoff Connor warned: "All the pressure is on the Shamrocks to win".
His prophetic words rang true when the depleted Sharks scored a mistake-ridden 14-10 win on Saturday.
Granted the Sharks reached 13 players after about 10 minutes, but that is no excuse for the Shamrocks.
Despite Chris Dunn posting first points for the Shamrocks and then veteran halfback Jamie Trotter being held up over the line, the Sharks eventually took the lead through one of their best, Jamal Toby.
The halfback scooped up a loose ball to run 80 metres to score untouched next to the posts.
Scott Pateman booted the conversion and got his team the lead at 6-4.
The Sharks extended their lead when a Toby bomb was spilled by the Shamrocks and winger Allan Grey picked up the ball and virtually walked over for the softest of tries.
Veteran Shane Moran then put the icing on the cake for the Sharks with a 55 metre solo effort that saw him brush through some uninterested Shamrocks defence.
On the brink of full time, Shamrocks fullback Steve Schubert scooped up a poor pass from the Sharks to run 90 metres to score under the posts.
The custodian booted the conversion to leave the score at 14-10.
But it was too late. The Sharks were unlikely victors.
Sharks tryscorers, Jamal Toby, Allan Grey and Shane Moran. Goal to Scott Pateman.
Shamrocks tryscorers Chris Dunn and Steve Schubert. Schubert booted one conversion.
