First half flurry fires Sharks to win over Souths

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs

A 20-0 halftime lead was more than enough for Cronulla to cruise home to a comfortable 27-12 win over South Sydney at home on Saturday afternoon.

Braydon Trindall starred for the home team, particularly with a pinpoint kicking game in the first half, and was eventually rewarded with a second-half try.

Trindall's two 40/20s were fundamental in getting the hosts into the ascendency at various points in the game, but the true highlights of the game were long-range tries scored by Kayal Iro and Will Kennedy in the first half.

Early on, it looked like the Sharks would keep pace with the clock - polarising halfback Nicho Hynes crossing for the opening inside the opening five minutes, before an excellent line-run by Briton Nikora had the home team 10-0 clear after as many minutes.

Iro's long-range try - laid on by Mulitalo and Kennedy - was next in queue at the 20 minute mark, and a chaotic Will Kennedy try followed on the half-hour mark, surging the Sharks to 20-0 leaders.

By contrast in the first 40 minutes, the Rabbitohs seemed to have nothing. When they got their hands on the ball they were listless in attack and totally lacked imagination.

Soon after halftime, Cronulla's lead extended to 26-0 with Trindall scoring out wide off a clever set play.

After the 50 minute mark, the contest dried out somewhat - perhaps a result of the warm weather - and the scoreboard went untouched til the 70-minute mark.

Souths finally pierced the Sharks line when Jack Wighton crossed with a pounce on a grubber, and that margin narrowed further when Jamie Humprheys ducked through the line with five to go.

With the result tucked away well and truly, Braydon Trindall took advantage of a zero-pressure situation to hammer over a field goal on the final siren, settling the final margin at 15 points.

Next week the Sharks host Canterbury at the same venue while the Rabbitohs host Penrith at Accor Stadium on Thursday.