Warriors-bound Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson had the ball on a string as Cronulla downed his former and future club 20-12 at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scores for the Warriors Photo: Photosport
Some exciting end-to-end play failed to deliver points in the opening quarter-hour as both teams messed up attacking kicks.
But a failed attempt from Sione Katoa to clean up a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak grubber handed returning fullback Reece Walsh an easy touchdown for first points to the Warriors after 17 minutes.
However, the Sharks were handed enough free attacking ball to score an unanswered 20 points after conceding the first try.
A nice short ball from Brayden Trindall to a hard-running Connor Tracey drew the Sharks level after 24 minutes before a period of sustained pressure at the Warriors line finished with Trindall taking the line on and bursting through in the 34th minute.
Walsh put the restart out on the full to put the Sharks straight back on the attack and was the man to steamrolled on the try-line as Braden Hamlin-Uele barged over for Cronulla's third.
Walsh was then penalised right on half-time to give the Sharks a two-point boost and stretch the lead out past two converted tries at 20-6.
The Sharks were good enough to hang on in the second stanza as Johnson repeatedly peppered the Warriors in-goal with grubbers for repeat sets.
A lovely set play finally earned the Warriors their second try as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck sliced through in the 58th minute but the Sharks defence was good to hold off any late Warriors charge.
- NRL.com
