THE Moruya Sharks swim deep with both the first and reserve grade teams claiming the minor premiership in their respective grades of the Group 16 competition this season.
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The Sharks claimed the first grade honour after the Cooma Stallions shocked the Bega Roosters 44-18 on Sunday.
Both teams finished on 22 competition points, but Moruya’s greater point differential (93 points) was the key to the club claiming its fourth minor premiership in a row.
The reserve grade side were minor premiers after a 12-all draw at Bega in round 13, so the narrow two-point loss to Batemans Bay on Saturday didn’t affect the Sharks final placing.
Moruya’s first grade coach Tim Weyman said winning its fourth consecutive minor premiership highlighted the strength of rugby league in the town and the depth of the senior grades.
“It’s big for the club because they’re all local juniors and most of the players have been here for four years,” Weyman said.
Reserve grade coach Mick Cottington echoed Weyman’s sentiments.
“It’s pretty special for the club to have first grade and reserve grade minor premiers,” Cottington said.
“It’s special both of us will play finals on the same day; it’s worked out well for us.”
Weyman said he thought all his players had contributed across the board and praised the enthusiasm of the under 18s players.
“We’ve got good outside backs with plenty of speed and good forwards,” Weyman said.
“We’ve had a few injuries and had to rely on younger guys but they’ve stepped up, which is another indication of the depth of the club.
“They (under 18s players) bring that much enthusiasm; they want to play for the town and if you ask any of them to play they jump out of their skin.”
Cottington was in the same boat and also praised the young bloods of the club.
“These under 18s players, Jacob Zutt, Chris O’Meley, Cohen McGrath and Niles Bridgen; if it wasn’t for those blokes I’m not sure we would be where we are,” Cottington said.
In reserve grade the Sharks have defeated each team at least once this season while in first grade the Roosters were the only team Moruya failed to beat.
The team was pleased to take the honour but is set on winning a grand final.
“We’ve just got to be ready to go; we have a good side but we have to put it together on the day and be ready to play,” Weyman said.
“Merimbula really stuck it to us a few weeks ago but we got the win on the bell.
“We were beaten by Bega but put it to the Bay the next week.”
The Sharks Reggies have a smaller forward pack than most teams and Cottington was rapt in his side’s ability to overcome the mismatch.
“We’re a small side but we have plenty of ticker,” he said.
“We’ve shown all year we can beat any side in the comp and our defence has been outstanding all year.
“We’ve been able to play 70 minutes of football and defend a lot of sets on our; there’s been moments where there’s been four or five sets on our line and I’ve thought they could walk over us but these blokes just keep stepping up and they’ve shown plenty of heart.”
Cottington thanked Tim and Michael Weyman for their presence on the training pitch and Tim’s fairness.
“He’s been giving me blokes off the bench and he’s been pretty fair to me,” he said.
Both grades will play at Ack Weyman Oval on August 2 against the winner of the respective qualifying finals this Sunday.
Bega plays Eden in first grade and Candelo in reserve grade.