WHEN they met earlier in the summer, West London Sharks put 90 points past Ipswich Rhinos at Syon Lane.
But the return match in Ipswich last Saturday was a much closer affair, with Sharks running out 34-18 winners.
Terence Puna notched the opening try, converted by Jamie Boston, but Rhinos were level soon after.
Tries from Dan Baker, Sam Wellings and Nathan Humphries put Sharks back in control, Boston converting once, but Rhinos pulled back another to make it 20-12 at the break.
And the gap was reduced to just two points when Rhinos were quickest out of the blocks after the interval, and it took a Rob McLean try to give Sharks breathing space again.
Things could have turned nasty with six minutes left when a dangerous shoulder charge to the face of Mark Barnes went unpunished and Ipswich broke away.
But their handling let them down, and it was Sharks who instead brought play back down the other end for Stephen Breeze to make it 30-18.
Sharks then added a final try in the last play of the game through Stephen Forbes.
