Playmakers Blayke Brailey and Nicho Hynes controlled proceedings and Sione Katoa bagged a hat-trick as the Sharks downed Wests Tigers 36-12 at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night.
The Sharks have now won 10 of their past 11 clashes against the Tigers and consolidate their place in the top four with eight games remaining.
After mounting plenty of pressure early the Sharks went up 2-0 when Hynes slotted a penalty goal after David Klemmer was pinged for a high tackle.
The Sharks then grabbed their opening try in the 16th minute when Katoa bounced over the line in the right corner to make it 6-0.
A spilled bomb by Tigers winger Asu Kepaoa midway through the half handed the Sharks the opportunity to grab a second and it was Siosifa Talakai who powered over from close range to make it 12-0 with Hynes' conversion.
Talakai too strong
Having gone 166 minutes since their last try, the Tigers broke the drought in the 28th minute when a Will Smith cut-out pass found Tommy Talau who crossed for his first four-pointer of the season.
Hynes got across the line in the 32nd minute when the Tigers dropped another bomb but Jesse Ramien was penalised for pushing a defender in the lead-up and the try was disallowed.
A one-on-one strip by Talau on Ramien in the 38th minute gave the Tigers field position and when Shawn Blore crossed off a superb short ball by Alex Seyfarth the scores were level at the break.
Tommy terrific hits back
The Sharks regained the lead in the 45th minute when Katoa crossed for his second of the night before the Tigers were able to earn a repeat set on the back of a clever grubber by Brandon Wakeham but they were unable to turn the opportunity into points.
Another pinpoint kick by Wakeham looked to have set up Talau's second try but the bunker ruled the Tigers centre had lost control of the ball into a Sharks defender as he made the catch.
The Sharks marched down field and Ramien bagged his second from a Hynes bomb and the score was out to 22-12.
When Talakai powered over for his second try of the night in the 68th minute the Sharks had done enough to rack up their 10th win of the season.
A long run by Brailey out of dummy half in the 73rd minute set up Hynes for a try and the Sharks led 32-12 before Katoa completed his hat-trick with a spectacular dive into the corner.
The Tigers showed plenty of heart to bounce back from last week's horror show in Townsville but in the end it was a 13th loss of 2023 and they remain last on the ladder.
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Match Snapshot
- The Sharks had 62 per cent of possession to the Tigers' 38 per cent in the opening 25 minutes of the match. By half-time the Tigers had clawed their way back to 49 per cent of the ball.
- Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai ran for 173 metres and broke six tackles in a dominant display.
- Shawn Blore's try in the 40th minute was the first of his 27-game career. He also ran for 111 metres and made 17 tackles.
- Jack Williams was strong off the bench for Cronulla with 114 metres from nine runs.
Blore straight up the middle
- Wests Tigers have won only seven of 23 games at CommBank Stadium.
- Wests Tigers centre Starford To'a was placed on report on the 61st minute for a dangerous tackle.
- The Sharks have won nine from 10 against teams in the bottom half of the ladder.
- Sharks back-rowers Teig Wilton and Briton Nikora combined for 28 runs and 268 metres.
- John Bateman got through 49 tackles for the Tigers and ran for 109 metres.
Jesse juggles to the line
Play of the Game
A slick right side raid early in the second half put the Sharks back in front after the sides had gone to the break at 12-12. Matt Moylan, Nicho Hynes, Will Kennedy and Jesse Ramien all played their part to perfection before the ball finished up with Sione Katoa to cross for his second try of the night.
Katoa doubles up
What they Said
"I thought we defended strongly so to have two simple lapses like that [for their two tries] was frustrating but I thought we had a big period in the second half of goal line defence which was good to see. I thought we came out of half-time really strong and got ourselves back to the way we wanted to play tonight. The scoreboard wouldn't indicate how hard it was and how long it took because we still had to hold our tryline there late with numerous sets. We've still got work to do and I feel like we can get better." - Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon
Sharks: Round 19
"Last week we got beaten, tonight we lost the game. There's a difference. The effort was there. We were in the game at half-time after copping a pounding in terms of field position. Second half we were in the game and the disallowed try to Tommy Talau was a tough call I think. I'll question the double movement too [on Sione Katoa's first try]. You can bounce but you can't extend the ball. He bounced there and then he reached out and to me that's not a try. I thought the boys handled themselves with a bit of pride but in saying that they're still disappointed that we lost the game. Coming off what happened last week, showed there's still plenty of spirit in the boys." - Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens\
Wests Tigers: Round 19
What's Next
The Tigers travel to Newcastle in Round 20 to face the Knights while the Sharks venture across the Tasman to take on the Warriors in Auckland.