After leading 3-0 into the half time break, the undefeated Sunderland Shire Seahawks threw two long range touchdowns in the third quarter to shut out a tough, defiant Central Coast team.

Luke le Page’s dramatic first quarter field goal contributed the only points during a brutal first half that highlighted both team’s strong defensive structures.

Two late fourth quarter touchdowns to rising Central Coast star quarterback Mathew King gave some consolation to the Sharks who continue to announce themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the NSW Gridiron league after decades of Sydney dominance.

The solid performance against the league leaders came on the back of a good week for Central Coast gridiron after the Sharks announced a new media partnership with Star 1045 radio.

Central Coast Sharks head coach Chris Donnelly said that despite the close loss his team is, for the first time in its’ three year history, confident that they can challenge the big Sydney teams.

"I was incredibly proud of the performance the team put in", Donnelly said. "It has been hard work over the past three years to get to this position and if we can keep the team injury free we can do big things in the second half of this season."

"The Central Coast has a huge population base and there is big interest in gridiron", Donnelly said. "We are hoping we can build on that interest and keep bringing new talent into our team, especially now that Rugby season is over."

After next week’s league-wide bye round the 6th placed Sharks travel to Sydney to take on the 8th placed Northern Sydney Predators on Saturday the 6th of October.

Source: Angus Macdonaly. (Anyone interested in playing for the Sharks or sponsorship opportunities should contact Angus on 0424427874 or head to facebook.com/centralcoastgridiron)