A Nicho Hynes masterclass propelled Cronulla back into the top eight with a vital 24-12 win over a gritty Dolphins side at Sharks Stadium on Friday night.
The halfback crossed the line twice and proved dominant with the boot, landing four from six goals as the Sharks staved off the challenge of the determined Dolphins.
Cronulla led by a converted try at the break and extended their lead to 14 points midway through the second half before the visitors roared to life. The game was poised at 14-12 until Hynes slid over to all but seal the result in the 74th minute.
Opening the match, a penalty allowed the Sharks to gain dominant field position. Hynes struck after seven minutes, slicing through on a blindside play before converting his own try to establish an early 6-0 buffer.
Though Cronulla had multiple opportunities to extend their advantage, the Dolphins' defence proved too strong.
In the 29th minute, Sharks fullback Will Kennedy burst into the backfield from a kick return, but his counterpart Jake Averillo made a desperate tackle to stop the play. It proved crucial as Cronulla turned over possession moments later.
The scoring lull was broken in the second half with Hynes slotting a penalty off the back of an escort penalty, stretching the margin to 8-0.
Remaining consistent in attack, the Sharks never lost hope and finally busted the Dolphins' dam for a second time when centre Jesse Ramien barged across in the 54th minute.
While Hynes couldn't convert, he soon pushed the lead to 14-0 with another penalty goal after being collected high.
The Dolphins claimed their first try after 66 minutes through centre Max Feagai following a cross-field kick from Averillo. Winger Jamayne Isaako converted, bringing the match back to a six-point ball-game.
Tearing up the home side's defence, dynamic centre Herbie Farnworth flew downfield to put the Dolphins well within striking distance with 10 minutes to spare. Isaako converted and the score was tight at 14-12.
After a huge effort from prop Toby Rudolf to force an error just when it seemed Jeremy Marshall-King was set to score from a kick, Hynes powered over for a much-needed four-pointer. With a clutch conversion off the upright, a win looked in reach for the Sharks at 20-12.
To top off an incredibly gutsy performance, a floating pass from Hynes allowed winger Sione Katoa to touch down on the buzzer.
Cronulla have now leapfrogged the Dolphins on the ladder, sitting in seventh position pending the remainder of Round 19. They will line up again at Sharks Stadium in a week's time against a Roosters side also fighting for a top-eight berth.
