Flano's return to Shark Park ends in a SharkNado

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons

Shane Flanagan's return to Shark Park was marred by torrential rain and howling winds as the Sharks managed to handle the conditions better, winning by 20-10 over arch-rivals St George Illawarra. 

After letting an early opportunity slip. The Dragons conceded a penalty and compounded that with a six again which allowed the Sharks to dominate field position. A crafty pass from Blayke Brailey found Oregon Kaufusi who crashed over the top of some soft St George Illawarra defence to cross for the first try of the contest. Nicho Hynes converted from next to the posts for a 6-0 lead.

Dan Atkinson broke through after 20 minutes but it was an important tackle from Tyrell Sloan which saved the Dragons blushes. The Sharks' goal-line attack was finding it difficult early to penetrate the Dragons line. St George Illawarra had some sustained possession set up by a Jacob Liddle line-break but again finding points was proving challenging.

It took many sets on the Sharks line but they eventually cracked when Ben Hunt went down the short-side and found Mikaele Ravalawa who went over untouched on the right edge. Zac Lomax's conversion was wide right and the Sharks still had a narrow two point lead.

Cronulla's ill-discipline would be their undoing in the first half, another set restart conceded before the break gave the Dragons life. Capitalising on the additional field position, the Dragons added a try on the stroke of half-time as they shifted the ball back to the right. Ravalawa again crossed out wide after a defensive mix-up from the Sharks left edge. Lomax converted for an unlikely four point lead at the half.

The Sharks split the Dragons open early as Hynes found a gap. A determined try saver from Sloan putting his body on the line saved the day. On the ensuing play, Siosifa Talakai was also held up but we needed the highly criticised Bunker to confirm the decision. After being denied minutes before. Hynes and Talakai combined forces once more to isolate Hunt in defence. The power of the impact bench forward was too much for the opening try of the half. Hynes' conversion put the Sharks in front.

With the game in the balance, both sides had chances in their attacking zones. But at the last chance, both teams execution in the challenging conditions left a lot to be desired. At last with 15 to go, the Sharks made another break, Sione Katoa breaks through up field before another critical tackle from Sloan. On the ensuing play, Hynes combined with Tom Hazleton and the big cult hero crashed across for the third straight game. Hynes converted to make it a two possession game. Despite the Dragons running fast to finish the match, they were unable to get over the line. Hynes added a late penalty goal to secure a gritty 10 point victory.