Sharks bite back to steal the late win over the Bulldogs

The Belconnen United Sharks prevail in Bruce, coming back from behind to defeat the Goulburn City Bulldogs 24-16 with a Josh Webb double.  

Both sides' defence was proving to be their best asset early on, with plenty of unforced errors occurring in the opening 10 minutes of the game as each team tried desperately to find a way through their opposition.

With the Sharks sitting in fourth spot on the ladder and the Bulldogs just two points behind, both sides were desperate for the win as finals footy shifts closer.

It was the hosts who crossed over the chalk first, with a hard run from front rower Rob Aratangi, bumping off the Goulburn defence close to the line to help his side take the lead.

Jack Beagley successfully converted from in front to further the Sharks lead to 6-0 by the 14th minute.

In the 25th minute a Mitch Corish bomb proved too difficult to catch for Darcy Leadbitter, knocking it on 15m out from the Sharks try line.

The Bulldogs took this opportunity with two hands, forcing a set restart 10m out from the try line, where the Cornish brothers coordinated a silky right-side play to put Angus Marshall over the line in the corner.

Isaac Walker was unsuccessful in converting, leaving the Sharks to lead 6-4 in the 27th minute.

The Sharks looked to reply with a Matt Woolnough grubber piercing the Bulldogs defence for Jonny Tupouln to score in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately for the Sharks Tupouln was ruled offside, saving the day for Goulburn.

The visitors were sure to capitalise on this, with yet another Mitch Corish bomb forcing a knock on from Leadbitter.

This granted the Bulldogs one last chance to take the lead before the break, with hooker Cody McCallum playing a short ball for Jonathan Cotterill to crash over the line and score in the 40th minute. Walker successfully converted to give the visitors a 10-6 lead at halftime.

Resuming from the break, the Sharks granted the Bulldogs a scrum 30m out from the try line after Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai was penalised for a poor play-the-ball.

On the first tackle out of the scrum, Mitch Cornish attacked the Sharks defensive line, breaking through effortlessly and scoring in the 41st minute. Walker converted to further Goulburn’s lead to 16-6.

The Sharks tried desperately to claw their way back into the game, with George Wood scoring in the 50th minute. But once again the Sharks had yet another try disallowed due to an illegal strip.

Just minutes later in the 53rd minute it appeared the Bulldogs had put the nail in the coffin with Blake Jeffery scoring.

The try was quickly ruled a knock on, and the Sharks turned defence into attack with Matt Woolnough kicking into the left corner for winger Josh Webb to score as the Sharks continued to fight their way back into the match.

Beagley successfully converted from the sideline to reduce the deficit to 16-12 by the 55th minute.

Once again Woolnough and Webb linked together down the left edge, with Woolnough kicking for Webb to tip the ball back for Jay Slavin to score in the corner in the 60th minute.

Walker made it three from three behind the tee, converting from the sideline once again to take an 18-16 lead.

The Sharks continued to take control of the game, with Jake Hawkins kicking a 40-20 from dummy half to gain some valuable field position.

Belconnen seized this opportunity, attacking down the left edge once again with Webb crossing over to complete his double in the 73rd minute.

Beagley was confident behind the tee, converting the try to leave the scoreboard reading 24-16 at full time, with the Belconnen United Sharks defeating the Goulburn City Bulldogs.