Sharks made to pay for errors in local derby loss

The Sharks couldn't snatch a win to celebrate second-rower Teig Wilton's 100th game in Indigenous Round, with a 63% completion rate and poor discipline – capped off by Briton Nikora being sin-binned at the death – proving their undoing.

An early penalty gave the Dragons solid field position, setting the stage for hooker Damien Cook to place a grubber for prop Emre Guler to ground. Halfback Kyle Flanagan converted for a 6-0 St George Illawarra lead after four minutes.

Cronulla came close to responding after a repeat set, only to turn over possession. However, they were soon on the attack again when the Dragons made an error, with prop Braden Hamlin-Uele charging through to score in the 10th minute.

Shortly after, Wilton marked his milestone match with a rare penalty try after being tackled in the air by Tyrell Sloan while latching onto a bomb in the in-goal area.

Proving to be an even contest, the Dragons continued to threaten with the ball. Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall kept them at bay initially with a desperate try-saver, but the hosts broke through in the 20th minute when Sloan strode across the line after a well-worked shift on the right edge to reduce the gap to 12-10.

Following a penalty, Flanagan slotted two points and levelled the scores at 12-12. Hynes then returned the favour, booting a penalty goal of his own to put the Sharks back in front with eight minutes remaining in a tit-for-tat first half.

But St George Illawarra had the final say before heading into the sheds, with debutant centre Hayden Buchanan touching down thanks to a Lyhkan King-Togia line-break and a selfless pass from veteran fullback Clint Gutherson.

The Dragons maintained the rage when play resumed as the Sharks struggled to hold onto the ball. After a lengthy attacking period, Gutherson opened the second-half scoring following an offload from Buchanan in the 47th minute.

Both sides played tough as the game became a grind, however ill-discipline from Cronulla kept them on the back foot for much of the contest. A try almost arose for Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, but an obstruction was immediately called.

Flanagan stretched St George Illawarra's advantage to eight points with a penalty shot in the 68th minute, leaving a tough challenge for the Sharks to conquer.

Despite some flashes of brilliance, Cronulla couldn't execute and at the final siren it was the Dragons who took home the points and the Monty Porter Cup.

The Sharks will dust themselves off and take on the Titans at home next Saturday, looking to return to the winner's circle ahead of a bye in Round 25.