Cronulla suffered a second-straight loss against a ruthless Warriors outfit in a 40-10 result at Sharks Stadium on Saturday night.
Having gone into half-time trailing 12-10, the Sharks conceded five tries in the second 40 minutes and lost centre KL Iro to what appeared to be a pectoral injury.
After a slow opening six minutes, the Warriors were first to get points on the board with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak soaring for the ball and coming down in the corner. Halfback Luke Metcalf was unable to convert.
Cronulla neared the try-line as they sought a fast response, however energetic Warriors defence kept the home team out.
Rolling through the Sharks' defence, Warriors centre Adam Pompey scored from a cross-field kick in the 15th minute. Metcalf added the extras to stretch the scoreline to 10 points, showing early signs of danger.
Strong attack put the Sharks in prime position to hit back with winger Mawene Hiroti sliding over the line in the 22nd minute. Halfback Nicho Hynes booted the goal, reducing the gap to 10-6.
Metcalf gladly accepted two more points off the back of a penalty in the 27th minute, pushing the margin to a converted try.
Six minutes before half-time, Cronulla's left edge found their rhythm with centre Iro scoring for the 10th time in nine matches this season. Hynes couldn't convert, the score remaining 12-10 in favour of the Warriors.
After a break in the 41st minute, Warriors prop James Fisher-Harris barged his way through a gap to lengthen his side's lead. Metcalf landed a simple conversion.
Adding to the Warriors' tally, interchange forward Demitric Vaimauga marched over in the 54th minute before Metcalf drilled another goal for a 24-10 advantage.
The pain continued in the 58th minute as Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima scored off another kick. Metcalf converted to make it 20 points the difference.
Exciting attack in the 66th minute allowed the Warriors to pull further away with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita snatching a four-pointer. Metcalf continued his hot goal-kicking form, dragging the score to 36-10.
To complete their dominant performance in enemy territory, Harris-Tavita grasped an intercept and ran 70 metres to clinch a double with four minutes remaining. Metcalf missed the goal, leaving the final margin at 30 points.
Cronulla will need to rebound quickly with a five-day turnaround into a local derby against the Dragons at Sharks Stadium on Thursday night.
