Cronulla's Jersey Flegg team proved too strong for the Sea Eagles in a 48-18 demolition at Sharks Stadium on Friday night.
Bouncing back from a loss to Melbourne, the under-21 Sharks shot out to a 32-12 half-time lead with an exhilarating attacking display in an NRL curtain-raiser.
The hosts opened the scoring after just one minute with prop Felix Faatili storming through Manly's defensive line and running 40 metres. Halfback Riley Pollard converted, giving Cronulla an early 6-0 lead.
The Sharks came close to scoring in back-to-back sets, however the Sea Eagles were able to save the try with moments to spare.
But off the back of a Sea Eagles error in the seventh minute, Sharks centre Nikora Williams burst through a tackle and surged over the line for the home side's second of the night. Pollard slotted the goal, taking the score to 12-0.
Capitalising on their sensational opening 10 minutes, Cronulla hooker Jai Camilleri slid under the posts to find another try. Pollard made it three from three, stretching the lead out by another six points.
The Sea Eagles hit back for their first points in the 15th minute with prop Campbell Munn chasing down a kick that Cronulla couldn't regather. Manly halfback Callum Dowell added the extras, bridging the gap to six points.
After receiving a penalty in the 24th minute, the Sharks powered downfield before crossing again through front-rower Richie Tupuailei. Pollard continued his perfect streak with the boot and restored Cronulla's 18-point lead.
Not giving up hope, Manly kept fighting as interchange forward Remi Mant barged over in the 30th minute. Dowell converted, tightening the score to 24-12.
Topping off a dominant first-half display, Pollard went in for a well-deserved try and knocked over the goal. The playmaker then nailed a penalty goal in the final minute to send the Sharks into the sheds ahead by 20.
Surging quickly after half-time, the Sharks capitalised on a penalty as Williams dived in the corner for his second of the evening.
Cronulla delivered a double blow in the next set with second-rower Dylan Coutts running half the field to touch down in the 44th minute. With Pollard converting again, the Sharks held an imposing 30-point lead.
Proving unstoppable, Sharks fullback Adrian Sandy snatched his first try in the 49th minute. Pollard made no mistake from the tee, taking the score to 48-12.
Sea Eagles front-rower Thomas Epere notched up the visiting team's second try in the 60th minute. Dowell made it three from three, bringing the score to 48-18.
Both teams came close in the final 20 minutes, however a determined Sharks side decisively claimed the victory to remain perched in the top four.
