The Jersey Flegg Sharks will finish either first or second after the regular season following a hard-fought 28-22 win over the New Zealand Warriors.
The Sharks scored five tries to four and never trailed at any stage of the game, but they were forced to earn the win against a determined Warriors outfit.
Currently second and with only one game to play before the finals, the Sharks are two points behind leaders Newcastle but four points clear of Mounties and the Panthers in joint third.
The match began with neither team able to break their opponents line for the opening 15 minutes of the contest, but eventually it would be the Sharks to score first, Josh Carr crashing over after a Cruz Topai-Aveai off-load.
Braydon Trindall added the extras and it was 6-0 Sharks.
Jonaiah Lualua would add to the Sharks lead on the end of a well-worked backline play and when Trindall was on target with the kick at goal it was 12-0 midway through the first half.
The Warriors responded with a try to hardworking winger Harley Maynard and when Dahkota Taimani kicked truely from wide out the score was 12-6 Sharks.
The home team would add to their lead when Trindall won the race to a clever Jayden Millard grubber kick and the conversion made it 18-6 to the young Cronulla side with half time approaching.
Then just when it appeared the Sharks would take a two try advantage to the break, winger Edward Kosee showed more desperation to catch a Taimani kick and score in the corner with the half time siren sounding in the background.
Into the stiff westerly breeze Taimani couldn't find the target and the it was 18-10 Sharks art half time.
The Warriors came out of the sheds with plenty of enthusiasm and 15 minutes into the half were rewarded when a second Kosee try and Taimani goals brought the visitors within two at 18-16 with still plenty of time on the clock.
Just when the New Zealand boys were coming to get them, a game changing play involving Luke Polselli and Isaac Lumelume, the fullback sending his centre away on a long run, put the Sharks back in the ascendancy and a second Lualua try pushed the lead out to six points.
The Sharks would then seal the result when Polselli was rewarded for an outstanding attacking performance, backing up on the inside before dashing 25-metres untouched.
Trindall kicked the two points from in front of the posts and with under five minutes to go, the Sharks were up 12 and 28-16.
Paul Turner from the Warriors got a consolation try in the last minute but the Sharks had held on to claim the points and consolidate second position on the under-20's ladder.
The win was a tough one but was meritorious for the fact that the Sharks were without strike centre Bronson Xerri, captain Teig Wilton and regular lock James Roumanos.
SHARKS 28
Jonaiah Lualua 2, Luke Polselli, Braydon Trindall, Josh Carr tries, Trindall 4 goals
Beat
WARRORS 22
