Barrett's gritty Sharks chomp Price's sloppy Warriors

Captain Trent Barrett led his Sharks side to victory this afternoon at Toyota Park by defeating the Vodafone Warriors 18-10 in front of 14,000 plus supporters.

A very vocal and boisterous crowd were treated to some fine football as their team headed out to 18-0 lead 30 minutes into the match against a lack lustre Warriors side who looked like they didn't want to be there.

Tries to Wright, Tupou and inspiring debutant fullback, Nathan Stapleton, had the Sharks side brimming with confidence and playing some outstanding fullback, giving flashbacks to the Sharks of old. A late try Manu Vatuvei in the half saw the home side with an 18-4 lead at halftime.

As many Warriors supporters were hoping, a new look Warriors came out after the break, managing to keep the Sharks scoreless in the second half. A converted try to Lewis Brown had the visitors clawing their way back into the game but to no avail as the relentless defence of the fired up Sharks side made sure the victory was going to be theirs.

The Warriors now head home to face the Knights next Friday. The Sharks, with back to back victories, will celebrate well tonight before heading down to Canberra next round to face the Raiders.

Match details Cronulla Sharks 18 def New Zealand Warriors 10 Round 13 - Sunday :: June 7th, 2009 2:00pm Venue: Toyota Stadium Referee: Tony Archer & Matt Cecchin Sideline Officials: Paul Holland & Mohamad Fajajo Video Referee: Phil Cooley Crowd :14,082 Half time: Sharks 18-4

Cronulla Sharks 18 Tries: Matthew Wright, Anthony Tupou, Nathan Stapleton Goals: Luke Covell (3/3) New Zealand Warriors 10 Tries: Manu Vatuvei, Lewis Brown Goals: Kevin Locke (1/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Trent Barrett (Sharks) 2 Points: Nathan Stapleton (Sharks) 1 Point: Anthony Tupou (Sharks)

League Unlimited Live commentary

Talk about the game as it happens - Sharks v Warriors forum discussion - click here!

SHARKS: 1. Nathan Stapleton 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Matthew Wright 4. Reece Williams 5. Luke Covell 6. Trent Barrett 7. Scott Porter 8. Kade Snowden 9. Tony Caine 10. Luke Douglas 11. Atelea Vea 12. Anthony Tupou 16. Grant Millington Interchange: 14. Mitch Brown 15. Johnny Mannah 17. Ben Pomeroy; Reserves: 18. Jacob Selmes 19. Terence Seu Seu

WARRIORS: 1. Wade McKinnon 2. Kevin Locke 11. Simon Mannering 4. Jerome Ropati 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Joel Moon 7. Stacey Jones 8. Sam Rapira 9. Aaron Heremaia 10. Steve Price (c) 17. Ben Matulino 12. Jacob Lillyman 13. Micheal Luck (vc) Interchange: 14. Lance Hohaia 15. Russell Packer 3. Aiden Kirk Lewis Brown

Changes to the Warriors starting line-up sees Mannering in at centre, Matulino in the 2nd row, Kirk to the bench along with Lewis Brown.

Gallen out for the Sharks, replaced by Millington

Brilliant sunshine at Toyota Park for the game today. Great crowd in for the game.

1 min: Locke gets the game underway

2 min: Early mistake by the Sharks after Stapleton found some space up the middle. Early penalty to the Warriors 20 metres out from their line.

4 min: LINE DROPOUT - Warriors Good defence by the Sharks keeps the visitors from scoring.

6 min: Fifth tackle attacking options by the Warriors shut down by great defence.

7 min: 40/20 to Barrett gives the Sharks their first attacking chance in the game.

8 min: TRY Cronulla Sharks Quick hands and great play by Reece Williams and Wright scores out wide. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. Cronulla Sharks 6-0

11 min: Soft defence by the Warriors allowing the home side a lot of ground in their sets.

12 min: TRY Cronulla Sharks Video ref rules a try to Tupou after a high kick directed at Vatuvei who was looking directly into the sun, pays dividends for the Sharks. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. Cronulla Sharks 12-0

17 min: Rapira comes out worse for wear following a head clash with Douglas. Needing medical attention at this stage but staying on the field.

19 min: LINE DROPOUT - Warriors Settling into the game a bit better.

23 min: LINE DROPOUT - Warriors Back to back line dropouts, but the defence is holding well.

24 min: Both line dropouts resulting in Ropati dropping the ball on attack.

27 min: Sharks on attack as the Warriors look lost.

29 min: TRY Cronulla Sharks Soft defence by the Warriors as Porters flicks a lovely ball to Stapleton who scores his 1st NRL game in style. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell successful. Cronulla Sharks 18-0

35 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors Finally the Warriors throw the ball around finishing with a deft little kick by Jones out to an unmarked Vatuvei who scores his 50th first grade try. Conversion attempt by Kevin Locke unsuccessful. Cronulla Sharks 18-4

HALFTIME: The Warriors looking flat while the Sharks have a spring in their step and certainly deserve to be 18-4 up at the break.

41 min: Covell gets the 2nd half underway

41 min: Early mistake by the Warriors is a coach killer giving the Sharks possession 30 metres out from their line.

45 min: LINE DROPOUT - Warriors Finally a solid set by the Warriors on attack resulting in the goal line dropout.

46 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors Brown scores his 1st NRL try of his career following a great offload by Jones. Conversion attempt by Kevin Locke successful. Cronulla Sharks 18-10

51 min: The Warriors very ordinary on their fifth tackle options. Price bleeding from a cut around his eye.

56 min: Tough call against the Warriors following a so called strip gives the Sharks a great attacking opportunity 20 metres out from their line.

57 min: Pressure by the defence brings up a Sharks mistake.

62 min: Consistent pressure by the Sharks gives them more attacking chances close to their line.

65 min: Stapleton, knocked around a bit in the game so far, puts on a great 1 on 1 tackle on McKinnon.

68 min: Defence of the Sharks outstanding as the Warriors throw everything at them.

68 min: Crowd figure - 14,082

72 min: Warriors scrum 20 metres out from the sideline.

73 min: Sharks defence causes Price to drop the ball under the posts.

74 min: NO TRY - Warriors Vatuvei forced over the sideline just before scoring. Awesome desperate defence by the home side.

78 min: Some tired and battered bodies on both sides resulting in unforced errors.