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Cronulla were their own worst enemy in a disappointing 16-14 loss to the spirited Cowboys on Saturday night, however they almost stole victory on the buzzer in a thrilling finish at Sharks Stadium.
While the teams were ultimately separated by goal kicking, the sluggish Sharks were left to rue an error-riddled first half that saw them trailing 12-4 at the break.
Despite being out of sorts, class almost propelled Cronulla across the line. The result was in the balance until the last play, with the Cowboys scrambling desperately to shut down a dangerous backline movement and secure the win.
The evening began on a bright note for the Sharks. Winger Georgia Ravics was in the thick of the early action, saving a certain try with a powerful cover tackle before opening the scoring down the other end with a classy finish. Debutante centre Grace-Lee Weekes threw the final pass in an early confidence boost.
But the visitors seized control from that point as Cronulla repeatedly handed back momentum with mistakes. Not helping matters, their forward rotation was thrown out of whack with prop Jacinta Carter leaving the field for a HIA. She returned to the fray, only to be forced off permanently after another head knock.
North Queensland struck the front with a converted try to fullback Krystal Blackwell in the 15th minute, following it up when prop Mackenzie Weale burst through from close range in the 22nd minute to set up an eight-point lead for the visitors.
The Cowboys maintained the upper hand to open the second term but couldn't find the killer blow, the Sharks keeping themselves alive with desperate defence.
Accepting North Queensland's invitation to attack after several errors, Cronulla narrowed the gap as winger Cassie Staples crossed on their lethal left edge. A clutch sideline conversion from pivot Georgia Hannaway cut the margin to two.
With the booming boot of halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu tormenting the Cowboys' back three, the Sharks continued to hunt for points. They failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity, with an unmarked Ravics unable to grasp a Weekes pass, but the flanker made amends moments later as she powered over for a double.
While Hannaway's conversion attempt struck the upright, the Sharks led 14-12. It was to be short-lived, however, as the Cowboys responded through centre Jasmine Peters, who proved too strong in the right corner.
The tension was palpable in the final 10 minutes with the Sharks searching for a match-winning play and North Queensland holding on grimly. It looked as though Cronulla might snatch the result as the siren rang out, but as they'd done all night, the committed Cowboys arrived in time to snuff out the danger.
With a 1-2 record, the Sharks will host Wests Tigers on Sunday night.
