Cronulla have held off a fast-finishing Manly side to bounce back from their lacklustre defeat in Magic Round with a 20-14 win at 4 Pines Park on Sunday.
The Sharks led 14-0 via converted tries to Royce Hunt and Sione Katoa before extending the margin to 18 in the second half through Jesse Ramien but the Sea Eagles owned the final quarter to reduce the deficit to six late.
When Briton Nikora flew past Tom Trbojevic on the right edge, in a worrying sign for the Blues hopeful ahead of Origin selection, all signs pointed to a Sharks win until Trbojevic got more involved to set up a try to Reuben Garrick.
A spirited effort from Daly Cherry-Evans helped send Lachlan Croker over the line and suddenly the Sea Eagles could sniff an opportunity to take the game into golden point.
Despite a penalty conceded by Ramien late, however, a final play by Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans didn't come off with the Sharks holding on for a much-needed win after their lacklustre performance against the Dolphins last week.
Sione Katoa try extends Sharks lead
Earlier, Manly couldn't get into any attacking groove as the Sharks enjoyed most of the territory and field position. When they get into Cronulla's 20-metre zone they struggled to threaten the visitors' defensive line.
Cronulla struck first when Nicho Hynes sent Hunt over the line from close range. They extended their lead in the second half when Katoa crossed on the right edge.
Turbos combine
A penalty goal from Garrick on half-time reduced the deficit to 12 before the Sharks scored through Ramien seven minutes into the second half.
The tries to Garrick and Croker got the Sea Eagles back into the contest but it was a finish that didn't really live up to any great heights with the Sharks defence holding strong on the line when it mattered.
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Match snapshot
- The Sharks lost Siosifa Talakai (neck) and Oregon Kaufusi (illness) pre-game with Connor Tracey and Cameron McInnes promoted to the starting side.
- Sea Eagles forward Josh Aloiai was a casualty in the 16th minute after dislocating his shoulder in the loss while coach Anthony Seibold said Kelma Tuilagi is expected to be sidelined after a cheekbone fracture.
- Nicho Hynes continues to press for an Origin debut with 18 runs and a try assist in the clash.
- Manly missed 45 tackles in the loss but evened up possession by the end of the game as they pushed towards a potential comeback.
- Cronulla conceded 12 penalties to four in a concern for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
- Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick scored a try and kicked three goals in his 100th NRL appearance.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa was placed on report for high contact in the 70th minute on Brad Parker.
- The Sea Eagles have now recorded back-to-back losses at home for the first time in 2023.
Play of the game
The Sharks right edge was their biggest strength on Sunday with Briton Nikora's effort to get past Tom Trbojevic and send Jesse Ramien over the line proving to be the eventual match-winning play.
Ramien backs up Nikora break
What they Said
"I felt like we had plenty of ball in the first half but had the right to have that with the way we defended. It was a good contest, they turned up and so did we. The second half we had no ball. A 12-4 penalty count makes it hard when you're on the end of that." - Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon
Sharks: Round 11
"The first half it's been a bit like that the last few weeks. Teams have had more possession and field position. We've shown a tonne of fight but it's amost like the fight was half over already. We need to find a way to start better. We could've put the cue in the rack but kept punching at the end. As disappointing as it is in front of our Old Boys we've just got to keep working hard." - Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold
Sea Eagles: Round 11
What's Next
The Sharks will take their next home game to Coffs Harbour for a clash against the Knights on Saturday afternoon. Manly will travel to Canberra for the final game in Round 12 against the Raiders. Josh Schuster (quad) could make a return but Josh Aloiai (shoulder) is in doubt.