Sharks the new contenders

AFTER? a mid-week win over Milton-Ulladulla and a big 44-14 win over Batemans Bay Tigers at home on Saturday night, the Shellharbour City Sharks are on the verge of challenging for a top three finish to the 2006 premiership.

In an outstanding display the Sharks completely outclassed the Tigers, who are also in the semi-final mix, with an eight tries to three win.

Co-Coach Peter Ellis was pleased with his young chargers who are now brimming with confidence.

We played three good games in six days, he said.

It would have been good to win over Nowra but it has been a good week.

The Milton victory would be one of the best the players have been involved with and to travel down there mid-week in the cold was very pleasing.

For the players to back up with a win against the Tigers is very mature, they stood and totally outplayed them, added Ellis.

The Sharks now eye the Kiama Knights in what should be a competitive game after their first round draw and the Knights back to full strength.

Ellis adds, Its always a hard game against the Knights. Our Prop Tim Jones has been a standout? for us and Mitch Willmont is finding his feet at half-back so the boys are up for it.

The centre pairing of Jamie Manukonga and Josh Champion continue to impress in a side that continues to improve each week and are set to be a threat come finals time.

In other games over the weekend Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles, for the second time this season, have come back from a seemingly impossible position against premiers Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs to capture a 32 all draw at Mollymook Oval.

In the first round the Eagles had trailed 34-6 at halftime but snuck home in the final stages and in another great escape trailed the Bulldogs 24-6 at halftime but finished with a point after their high scoring draw.

The Eagles were best served by prolific centre Simon Piminovs who bagged four tries to lead the way for his side, while Darryl Brisbane and Cole Skelly were also prominent.?

Meanwhile, Kiama Knights have kept their semi-final hopes alive after a thrilling 40-36 win over the struggling Warilla-Lake South Gorillas in a thriller at Kiama Showground.