Cronulla Sharks shored up their top eight hopes with a 32-12 win over North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Thursday night.
The Sharks continue their unbeaten record at the Cowboys new stadium and help their chances to make both the top four and top eight. It was another good performance from their halves Nicho Hynes and Brayden Trindall.
It was an important game for both teams top eight hopes, and it started in that fashion. The first ten minutes saw the two sides trade sets and wait for the first error of the contest.
The Sharks blinked first conceding a penalty and the Cowboys struck. Their livewire fullback Scott Drinkwater skipped through a few tackles and dived over for the opener in this game.
The visitors struck back with a good backline movement. Connor Tracey and Nicho Hynes combined on the left to set it up for winger Ronaldo Mulitalo to score and level it up at 6-all.
Once again, Sharks conceded a penalty then on the scoreboard. Chad Townsend drifted across field looking for a runner, found Peta Hiku who fed it to Semi Valemi who dug deep to put the Cowboys ahead again.
It was a front row Friday for the Sharks to give them a 18-12 lead at the break. Tom Hazelton went over from Blayke Brailey then Royce Hunt planted it down quickly after for the finals chasing visitors.
The second half was a grind again between the two sides. Sharks built their lead to double digits with Hynes putting in a kick which saw the evergreen Wade Graham to scoop it up.
Sharks looked for the killer blow. Brayden Trindall kicked a wonderful 40/20 which set them up, tried to kick for himself and forced a dropout. That was taken by Valemi before the ten and Hynes made it 26-12.
The visitors landed the final blow through their main man. Hynes had the ball on a string in the second half, spied the defense not chasing and sliced through to score the Sharks fifth.