The Cronulla Sharks have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs by 26 points to 22 in their Round Seven NYC clash at Remondis Stadium.
Played in wet and blustery conditions throughout the entire 80 minutes, the NYC Sharks prevailed to take their season tally to two wins from seven matches.
Cronulla Lock Harrison Muller opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes, with five-eighth Jaymayne Isaako converting the try from adjacent to the uprights.
Having held much of the ball inside the opening quarter, Cronulla turned possession into more points when winger Levy Sopi pounced on a grubber kick to extend the side’s lead to 10.
The visitors were doing themselves little favours early on, and having conceded three penalties, Souths’ ill discipline handed Cronulla another opportunity to post points.
Having repelled the Sharks’ attacking onslaught, Souths’ Hooker and Captain Aaron Booth's try went about reducing the Rabittohs’ deficit; and Fullback Jordie Hedges made no mistake in bringing the margin back to four.
On the cusp on half time Sharks halfback Jayden Brailey toed through a Rabbitohs knock-on, and as the grubber found the post’s padding, the number 7 swooped on the ball to score.
The change of ends resulted in a change of fortunes for the Rabbitohs, who scored through a burrowing Liam Coleman run in the 49th minute. The lock’s try took the score to 16-12.
Sharks winger Sopi tiptoed the south-eastern touchline to cross for his second of the night after 53 minutes. However his drop ball soon after brought the visitors back into the game.
Irae Simone crossed to give the visitors hope heading into the final quarter, while Damon Goolagong’s try took the Bunnies to a 22-20 lead with 10 minutes to play.
An 80-metre bust and try to Sharks flyer Semisi Vea sent the hosts back to the front, and Isaako again turned four points into six.
Despite a late a flurry from Souths inside the Cronulla half, the junior Sharks hung onto to secure a 26-22 win, and two important competition points heading into their round eight clash with Penrith.
Cronulla Sharks 26 [Tries: Harrison Muller, Levy Sopi (2), Jayden Brailey, Semisi Vea – Goals: Jaymayne Isaako (3/5)]
Def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 [Tries: Aaron Booth, Liam Coleman, Irae Simone, Damon Goolagong – Goals: Jordie Hedges (3/4)]
