The Moruya Sharks have dropped to third place on the Group 16 ladder with a loss to the Bega Roosters on Sunday.
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The Roosters claimed the opening try and then built to a commanding lead before a late fight-back saw the Sharks finish closer to the target, falling short 32-16.
While the Sharks were an ever-present danger on Sunday, the Moruya club couldn’t quite contain the Bega quicks as it was many of the young bolters scoring the points for the host club.
James Grant opened the scoring six minutes in for the Roosters to take a 4-0 lead, but a converted try to Moruya came soon after when prop Tim Wheyman barreled through the defenders to find the line.
Just two minutes later, Bega replied through their own hard-man as Ryan Apps made a good burst to lead 8-6.
A try late in the half to Zac Cuzner gave the tri-colours an extra edge as Grant made the conversion to lead 14-6 at the break.
Cuzner again broke loose early in the second half as Grant made no mistake with the boot.
The try was followed up soon after by half James Bower-Scott and it looked to all accounts like the Roosters were off to the races with a 26-6 advantage and just 20 minutes left on the clock.
However, the Sharks hardened their resolve and soon began working back into the competition.
A try to Moruya half back Sam Howlett had the Sharks eyeing a way back in at 26-10.
Their hopes were all but dashed when Bega quick Scott Galeano found the line with just 13 minutes to spare.
The Sharks again worked back into play and centre Finbar McNaughton posted a try in the final five minutes for the visitors to lock in their final score at 32-16.
Earlier, the Bega reserve grade had their biggest result of the season yet with a 66-4 thumping of the visiting Sharks.
Kayne Tyler led the charge with three tries, while Todd Ingram scored twice.