Sharks failed to warm up with any conviction and paid the price in the first 20 minutes. Cotham were far the sharper and some good off-loading and forceful running soon saw them in the lead with 13 tries and 19 unanswered points.

The Sharks handling and decision making soon started to take some shape, and a try from Sam Green following an incisive break from Ben Critchley was just reward. Cotham responded with another converted try of their own, and with a 26 – 5 point score line, their lead looked unassailable. Even with a second score by Jordan Shaddick following a barnstorming run from Josh Porter, converted by Huw Evans, the task looked beyond a quickly regrouping Sharks squad.

Sharks had other ideas in the second half, and a scintillating break by centre Tom Stirzaker helped to set up a third try for Sharks. Using pace and power, Stirzaker managed to go around the scrambling Cotham Park defence. As he was being caught he managed to off-load to the tracking wing, Matt Wilkinson, who still had 30 metres to cover and the full-back to beat. A change of pace, and direction saw Wilkinson go over in the corner to score, with a fine conversion from Jordan Shaddick to see the score at 26 – 19 to Cotham.

Cotham continued to press to seal the game, but resolute defence and an attacking ambition with Jack Thornton to the fore, saw Shaddick score a second try from 60 metres out and under the posts. Converted, the score was now level at 26 – 26.

The final few minutes of an extended second half saw Cotham Park press for the win, and Sharks resolutely defending. A wayward kick was touched in flight and touched down for Cotham to win a 5 metre scrum. Sharks were not to be undone and continued to push up and tackle – Shaddick, Critchley and Porter lead the way, but were eagerly followed by the remaining 12 players to gain a well-deserved draw.

Tries
Shaddick x 2
Wilkinson
Green
Conversions
Critchley
Shaddick
Evans