Cronulla stood tall in Briton Nikora's 150th NRL game on Thursday night, fighting back from a half-time deficit to win 30-18 in a see-sawing local derby against St George Illawarra.
Despite scoring the first try, the Sharks found themselves trailing 18-6 at the break after Jesse Ramien was sin-binned for a professional foul and fellow centre Mawene Hiroti exited the field with a calf injury late in the opening term.
But the hosts quickly regrouped, seizing the momentum and posting four unanswered tries to claim a 10th consecutive victory over the Dragons.
After nine minutes, it was Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey who sparked the first points, busting the line and passing to five-eighth Braydon Trindall. Halfback Nicho Hynes converted, giving the home side a 6-0 lead.
It wasn't long before the Dragons hit back in the 15th minute with hooker Damien Cook finding space and dashing to the line. Playmaker Kyle Flanagan slotted the two points, levelling the scores.
The Dragons went back-to-back in the 26th minute with five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia slipping through patchy defence. Flanagan converted, taking the score to 12-6.
With Ramien serving his 10-minute ban, lock Jack de Belin who extended the visitors' lead when he barged over in the 31st minute. Flanagan made it three from three and put his team ahead by 12.
The Sharks managed to keep St George Illawarra at bay for the remainder of the first stanza before exploding into gear when play restarted. Milestone man Nikora helped spark the comeback, the second-rower tearing through a hole to score in the 48th minute. Hynes converted and it was back to a six-point ball game.
After a powerful few sets, Trindall touched down on the back of his own kick to secure a double in the 53rd minute. With Hynes converting, the score was 18-18.
A Dragons error allowed Sharks winger Sione Katoa to cross for his opening try of the season from a scrum and catapult Cronulla ahead for the first time since the 26th minute. Hynes could not convert, with the Sharks leading by four.
Relentless Cronulla refused to give the Dragons an inch of space, as seen when they ruthlessly dragged Tyrell Sloan touch in-goal to earn a repeat set.
A penalty with nine minutes to go set up an easy goal for Hynes, giving Cronulla breathing space with a converted try the margin.
Katoa sealed the deal with a brilliant effort, collecting a Dragons kick and speeding away to the delight of the home crowd. The boot of Hynes pushed the score to 30-18, icing an important win that keeps the Sharks in touch with the top four.
Cronulla will embark on a trip to Brisbane next Sunday for a clash with the Broncos before heading to Melbourne to tackle the Storm in Round 17.
