The Cronulla Sharks have continued their recent run of dominance over the St George Illawarra Dragons with Nicho Hynes playing a leading role in a 36-12 win in Wollongong.
Recording their sixth win from seven previous clashes against the joint venture, the Sharks were a class above their rivals, scoring six tries to two, in the opening match of the league's inaugural Multicultural Round.
Following a rain-drenched opening where both sides traded sets before adapting to the conditions with kicks early on in sets, the Sharks gained the ascendancy after Dragons second-rower Jadyn Su'A was sent to the sin bin for making shoulder contact to the head of Dale Finucane.
Wasting little time in exploiting their one-man advantage, Sione Katoa (18th minute) made amends for squandering a try minutes earlier by finishing off a Gidley-esque flick pass from Jesse Ramien to give the visitors first points.
Extending their lead a few sets later after the spine players spread the ball to the left edge, recalled winger Matt Ikuvalu (21st minute) claimed his first try for the club mere minutes after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
The Dragons struggled to capitalise on their opportunities during the first half with passes down the right edge falling short of the mark, while the side's best chance of posting points fell short with captain Ben Hunt deemed held up over the line
Striking a major blow shortly before halftime with Siosifa Talakai (35th minute) pouncing on a well-place kick from Hynes, a further penalty goal saw the visitors take an 18-0 lead into the change of ends.
Needing to be first to score in the second half to have any chance of remaining in the contest, a short pass from Hunt allowed Jack Bird (43rd minute) to crash over for his first try at WIN Stadium.
Responding through Ramien (49th minute) following a superb piece of attacking play involving sideline to sideline passing and a kick from Talakai, the Sharks secured victory after Braden Hamlin-Uele (54th minute) pounced on a superbly placed grubber from Blayke Brailey.
Hynes (66th minute) capped a man of the match display with a try of his own before late ill-discipline saw Ramien and Andrew Fifita sent to the sin bin, leaving the visitors to see out proceedings with 11 men.
The Dragons had the final say of a disappointing night with Jack Gosweiski (74th minute) collecting a consolation try to bring the final score to 36-12.
Next week, St George Illawarra round out the round against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium, while Cronulla host Newcastle in the early match on Friday evening.