photo by Mark Tamplin

The Sharks overturned a massive 30-6 half time deficit to beat the Demons 33-32 in a thriller at Furnace RFC

The Demons took an early lead with back to back tries from Gareth Howells and Andy Lee with Lee converting the first.  This set the trend for the first half with very physical play from the Sharks but the Demons proving too good with some impressive handling. 

There were further tries from Andrew Bradshaw, Jamie Isles and a pair from Rhodri Thomas. The pick of the bunch with some slick handling was the touchdown from Andy Lee who converted two.  Wales A international Mark Cooke scored a great individual try which

was converted by Jonathon Griffiths bringing the half time score to 30-6 to the Demons.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Sharks team turn the tables on the Demons staging one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Welsh Conference.  Tries from Adam Jones and Tom Samuel both converted by Jonathon Griffiths reduced the deficit to 30-18 before Gareth Davies converted a penalty for the Demons increasing the gap to three scores. 

The Sharks kept the roll going as the Demons tired with tries from Jonathon Griffiths, Johan Taffetsaufer and Dave Norman two of which were converted by Griffiths leaving a grandstand finish with the score at 32-32.  Minutes later Griffiths, with the coolest of heads, took the Sharks into the lead with a drop goal. 

The Demons battled on valiantly in the last few minutes but with Lee Drabble knocking on over the line and Gareth Davies missing a drop goal attempt the Sharks held on for the win.

article by Mark Harris
2 June 2007