Sharks book finals place with late win over Warriors

Embed from Getty Images

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Warriors

The Cronulla Sharks have edged out the Warriors 22-14 in a scrappy game at Jubilee Oval which sees the confirmation of the 2020 top eight.

The Warriors were their usual brave selves and held the lead late, before a couple of tries in the dying stages gave the game to the boys in the black, white and blue. 

It took twelve minutes for the first try, but the game was broken open by a Shaun Johnson kick in behind the Warriors defensive line. Sione Katoa pounced on the kick to take the Sharks to the lead. Eighteen minutes later Johnson kicked in behind again, this time finding the winger on the left side in Ronaldo Mulitalo which took the score to 10-0. A penalty goal just a couple of minutes later extended the lead to 12-0.

Just before half time, the Warriors hit back with through a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck offload, which saw Jack Murchie go in under the posts to make the score 12-6 at the break. 

On the other side of half time, the Warriors were able to score first. An outstanding flick pass from centre Peta Hiku sent rookie winger Adam Pompey over for his seventh try of the season, A sideline conversion from Chanel Harris-Tevita made the scores level. 

Before long, the Warriors took the lead for the first time in the game through a 42 metre penalty goal from Chanel Harris-Tevita, making the score 14 points to 12 in favour of the Warriors. 

It looked like the Warriors may hold on and keep their finals hopes alive.

Fresh back on the field, Sharks lock Toby Rudolf had other ideas, busting through tackles in a herculean effort on the way to the try line. The Sharks took the lead and it was added to minutes later when winger Ronaldo Mulitalo crossed for his double in the left corner, capping off a Sharks win at 22-14. 

The win for the Sharks means the top 8 is set in stone in 2020, with the only thing to be decided being the final positions.

The Warriors were brave in defeat as usual, but it just wasn't enough in the end to get them over the line.

Both teams have tough games next round, with the Sharks facing the Roosters and the Warriors facing the Raiders.