Sport is a funny old thing. We all love it and know that when our favourite team meets the top of the table leaders we hope for that one thing in life that we all pray could happen. The Upset.
There have been many seismic upsets over the years that everyone remembers well. At the 1980 Winter Olympics the USA sent out a team of relative unknowns up against the might of the USSR in the semi final of the Ice Hockey. The Americas won 4-3 in what is now known as the ‘Miracle on Ice’.
At Euro 2004 Greece won the tournament without a single star player. They showed that a champion team can beat a team of champions and that anything is possible when you believe in yourself. The American ice hockey players had that same belief.
In the 2008 Superbowl the New England Patriots had the perfect season and were expected to remain undefeated that year when they faced the New York Giants. We all know what happened. The Giants caused one of the biggest boil overs in NFL history winning 17-14.
All these teams had the same thing; belief. Belief that they could match it with a team that was perceived as being far superior and on another level in terms of class and skill.
On Saturday night in Round 12 of the Gridiron NSW Division One Competition the Central Coast Sharks played host to the UTS Gators. This was considered just another game for the table topping UTS team as they had their eyes well and truly on the finals in a few weeks time. Heading into the game the Gators had won nine of their ten games and amassed a total of 412 points compared to only 118 against them. They were the bench mark in the competition.
The Sharks had other ideas. The week before this game they had their second win of the season against their local rivals the Newcastle Cobras. They have had the wood over Newcastle for several seasons and ran away with the game 42-6. The atmosphere at training was high during the week as they prepared to fine tune their plays and bristle up the defence ahead of the table topping UTS team coming to town.
This was to be a true ‘David vs Goliath’ moment. Beating the Newcastle team one was thing however UTS were on a whole different level. This was the team that Jarryd Hayne had been training with during the season prior to his move to America to follow his dream of playing in the NFL. There were half a dozen players in their squad who play for the state team. This was a serious outfit.
With one of the smallest squads in the NSW competition the Sharks turned up with twenty players ready to over come this adversity against a squad of thirty-four and show thier comittment and belief in one another. A good start was a must. Could they really hold out to the end or would fatigue take its toll with several players having to play both offense and defence?
The whistle blew and the Sharks kicked off. Could they keep in touch with the UTS juggernaut.
In the opening minutes UTS snapped the ball right over the quarterbacks head. This was an uncharacteristic mistake. The Sharks took full advantage as the defence rushed forward to pounce on the ball. Mitch Higgins had over ideas. He picked it up and ran 15 yards to score the first touchdown of the game and take the lead 6-0. At least the Sharks could say they got on the scoreboard once the game was over.
Wide Receiver Jake Humphreys then doubled the score with a fine catch in the corner from a pinpoint throw by quarterback Jordan Nikora. The energy on the sidelines was electric amongst the players as they realised they had now scored two touchdowns against the league leaders. Could this continue? Time would tell and it did not take long. UTS crossed for thier opening touchdown to take the score 12-6 as half time approached.
The Sharks have shown all season that they can hold their own for long periods however teams with larger squads had run them down in the later stages of the game. If only they had more players. Would this happen again? After a rousing halftime talk from coach Peter Tos the boys ran out for the start of the third quarter with a spring in their step and an attitude of confidence and belief.
In defence the Sharks were brutal. They showed great character with plenty of brawn and courage on the line. It was becoming a feeding frenzy as the Sharks continued to stand up to the UTS offence. The defensive backs were taking picks all over the field. Crutial blocks were being made and the boys were on a roll. Wide Receiver Josh Taylor continued the trend as he scored the teams third touchdown to take the score out to 26-6. His speed and safe hands are a joy to watch. This young man is one to watch.
Not to be outdone by his team mate, Jake Humphreys showed his own skills with an amazing catch to claim his second of the night. Josh Taylor added the two extra points to take it out to 26-6. The crowd were witnessing something very special. The Sharks were dominating the game in every aspect. Their communication was spot on. The coaching was perfect. This was happening. The belief was there. The third quarter ended with the Sharks up by twenty.
Like a champion team the UTS hit back in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and conversion to take it to 26-14. For what seemed like the next few minutes the UTS offense was camped on the Sharks 10 yard line looking for another touchdown. Thier sideline was cheering them on to keep up the momentum and get over the line. However Sharks defensive player Daniel Aguirre-Acevedo had other ideas. Every Sharks player had done their part on the night and now it was Daniel’s time. He took the intercept and made a barn storming 60 yard run down the side line to take the ball down field and set up the Sharks offense in a great postion.
From the next play running back Nathan Thompson scooted out to the left with speed and power to run over for the teams fifth touchdown of the night. Jake Humphreys capped off a seasons best game with the extra two points to take the score to 34-14.
The final whistle came and the Sharks had done what many believed was impossible. They had not only beaten the league leaders they had given them an almighty beating. The Sharks dominated in every position. Veterans played out of their skin and rookies learnt on the run. This was a game that they will never forget. The fans will always remember it and the UTS boys will remember it too. No one had scored more points against the UTS Gators all season.
The Sharks always had the belief. And now they have the respect of many.