Sharks scrappy win over sloppy Souths

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Sharks kept their top 4 hopes intact, despite a woeful first half against South Sydney, to run away with the match in the second half, recording a 14 point victory at home.

Souths opened the scoring in the 7th minute, off the back of the scrum. They sent the ball out to Jye Gray, who outpaced Kayal Iro and then sliced through a small gap to score a smart try. Fletcher Myers on debut failed to convert from out wide.

Cronulla hit back in the 15th minute when Jesse Ramien went on a great run after reeling in a pass that went behind him. He then drew the two defenders before sending a good ball to Sione Katoa who scored in the corner. Braydon Trindall's sideline conversion hit the upright and was waved away.

The remaining 25 minutes of the half saw both sides struggle with handling and discipline in defence, neither capitalising on the set restarts they received. In the 28th minute, Myers landed a penalty goal.

Sam Stonestreet was denied a try in the 33rd minute when he dived for the corner and attempted to plant the ball one-handed, but was ruled to have dropped it at the last moment.

Just before the halftime siren sounded, Stonestreet crossed again, but was again denied a try due to an obstruction in the lead-up play. At halftime, Souths held a 6-4 lead.

7 minutes into the second half, Stonestreet finally gets a try when some nice catch and passing on the left edge creates the extra man and the winger dived over to score. Trindall failed to convert from out wide.

In the 58th minute, Iro found himself put in open space down the left sideline after Siosifa Talakai bumped out of one tackle, then drew two defenders. Iro then linked with Trindall inside and the halfback scored under the sticks. He then converted his own try.

The Sharks extended their lead further in the 65th minute when Trindall put in a gorgeous grubber to the left corner which bounces up perfectly for Iro, who regathered and scored. Daniel Atkinson took over the kicking duties due to Trindall succumbing to a tweak in his hamstring. Atkinson nailed the sideline conversion.

The final 15 minutes resembled the first half, with messy play and neither side taking the upper hand or building momentum. However, the Rabbitohs execution in attack, especially when close to Cronulla's line, was dire, which helped the Sharks hold their lead and run out winners 20-6.