It was tough and physical, while at the same time displaying the skills possessed by the two teams, as the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks and CRL Newcastle teams did battle in the curtain-raiser to the Sharks-Panthers NRL clash at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
In the end Cronulla Caringbah always seemed to hold the upper hand, only for a gutsy Newcastle side to keep them honest, with the final scoreline of 20-14 to the Sharks a fair indication of the difference between the two teams.
The Sharks were on top early, three tries, two four pointers to Jess Enright and another to Jess Stergis, had them up 14-0 and well in command.
The Newcastle team however refused to surrender, a try in the south-eastern corner just minutes before half time giving them some energy and momentum heading in the break.
With the physical battle heating up in the middle of the field, neither team was prepared to take a backward step and when Stergis glided through the Newcastle defensive line and dashed away to score, it appeared the home team would run away with the points.
Newcastle again responded, a try under the posts making it 20-10, before they scored again with three minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish.
The Cronulla girls would hold firm and register their third win in five starts in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.
CRONULLA CARINGBAH 20
Jess Enright 2, Jess Stergis 2 tries, Tayla Preston 2 goals
beat
CRL NEWCASTLE 14
