Match Centre

FULL TIME - The Sharks go into next week's clash with Melbourne high on confidence with a 40-20 win against Manly

Why? Cronulla with no need to put the ball so wide off the kick-off put it out on the full

Manly's set finishes very meekly as they go sideways with a run on the last

Not going 10 rather

Cronulla lose the ball play 1 off the handover for the kick-off not going into touch

Matt Lodge loses the ball as Manly get the ball close to the Sharks line

Manly regather the short kick off but do trail 20 points

Teig Wilton gets through has support on the outside but can only get boot to ball and the ball is cleaned up by Fulalalo

An awkward attempt at a simple catch from Will Kennedy as he looks to be dealing with a hand injury

Manly force an error on tackle one after the restart. Is this a comeback beginning already? Scrum 15m from Cronulla's line...

Cronulla defend out the set then let the kick dribble dead - just, and get the 20m restart. The pressure valve releases a little and the score is unchanged.

Ronaldo Mulitalo is ruled to have knocked on. He and Hynes say CAPTAIN'S CHALLENGE. There's a juggle, the ruling from Gee is a Manly player touched it after his bobble... and the challenge is UNSUCCESSFUL. Manly get the ball and the Sharks lose their challenge.

Adam Gee calls Hynes over and brings Ramien in. The Cronulla centre is ON REPORT but is not binned.

Tempers fraying here after Jesse Ramien lays out Karl Lawton. Penalty to the hosts. Bunker review....

Hazelton busts through a big gap but is dragged down 25m out. Great run, great tackle. Cronulla turn the ball over a few plays later and then concede a penalty.

DCE grubbers through the line on the Cronulla 40m and nearly looks like he's getting it back until Kennedy shoots like a cannon onto the ball and goes 15m in the other direction.

A high ball from Trindall tests Clayton Faulalo in the corner but he takes it cleanly and brushes off a couple of defenders in a good kick return. Manly working it out from their own 20m.

Blayke Brailey puts boot to ball, and the second half begins. Manly have first use.

Forty minutes to decide the fate of 6th and 7th position coming up. If Manly can overcome the deficit and win this, they'll host Canterbury next weekend back at the same venue - 4 Pines Park. Should Cronulla hold on, the Sea Eagles will need to pack the bus and motor across to Accor Stadium instead. For Cronulla, they're headed to AAMI Park in Melbourne to face the minor premiers (unless they can do the ridiculous and win this by 74 or more).

The siren sounds and Cronulla lead by eight at the change of ends.

Cronulla get a handy penalty inside the Manly red zone after an accidental offside. They opt against the goal, tap and go!

Kayal Iro making good metres on a kick return. Manly on the back foot a bit, Sharks making easy metres in the minutes before the break.

Cronulla with enterprising play but it ultimately comes to nothing after a Trindall grubber ricochets into the arms of Manly and then a penalty is awarded for high contact in the ensuing tackle.

Some superb Eagles defence prevents a Trindall show-and-go on the last.

Cronulla force a GLDO.

Garrick finds some space down the right edge but he flies too close to the sun / touchline and is manhandled over it. Sharks scrum 10 short of halfway.

We're off to the Bunker. Siona Katoa crosses in the corner and Gee and his touchie aren't convinced. We're checking the corner and grounding... it looks like - NO TRY. Manly 20m restart.

Nathan Brown with late contact on Braydon Trindall - not particularly dangerous but very late anyway. Downfield penalty to Cronulla, 25m from Manly's line.

A huge set off the penalty and Cronulla find themsevles 10m on the last.... and a scuffed pass on the left edge from Trindall delivers a try for Mulitalo!

Manly go high on the last and Lehi Hopoate nearly leaps and comes down with it in a contest with Sione Katoa but it's Katoa who finishes with posession. One play later, Cronulla pick up a penalty after a rake.

Manly lead for the first time today and on the live ladder they're 6th and will host Canterbury next weekend.

PENALTY MANLY: Briton Nikora runs an obstruction and gets penalised, Sharks don't like it and Adam Gee marches the mark 10m for dissent

Kayne Lawton loses the ball under pressure of defence

PENALTY MANLY: The crowd have been begging for a penalty and finally they get one with the Sharks not releasing

PENALTY MANLY: Adam Gee calls held as Sione Katoa's hand arm hits the ground and then he passes which is a pass off the ground

NO TRY - It looked like a knock on live as Hopoate got to the ball though Adam Gee awarded the try; Bunker overturns it for as a Manly lost ball

Blayke Brailey tries to go from dummy half but loses the ball

Taniela Paseka loses the ball and takes the air out of the balloon a bit for the big Manly start

GAME ON! Adam Gee has the whistle and the Sharks use the ball first

A home final on the line for Manly if they get past the Sharks who can't do anything better/worse than a trip to AAMI Park on Saturday