The Sharks cemented their place in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership finals with a gritty 20-10 win over the Central Coast Roosters at polytec Stadium on Thursday night.
After an even start, once Cronulla found their feet it was game on. Having taken a slender 12-10 lead into half-time, they showed pure determination from that point to hold the Roosters out until the final siren.
Winless from their last two games, a loss tonight would have left the Sharks in danger of missing the finals. But with a spirited performance, they proved how much a top-four position meant to them.
It was a tug-of-war to begin the match with the Sharks and Roosters both defending strongly to keep their opponent at bay.
The first stoppage in play came in the 12th minute when Cronulla received a penalty on their own line to piggy-back downfield.
Sharks centre and captain Monique Donovan – who was crowned the Harvey Norman Player of the Year during the week – scored the first try after the visitors forced an error. Five-eighth Ella Ropata slotted the goal.
Adding to the self-inflicted pressure, the Roosters gave away another penalty and allowed Cronulla into try-scoring range once more.
Capitalising on this, Sharks halfback Koffi Brookfield sprinted her way under the posts following a beautiful inside ball to clinch the away side's second four-pointer of the match, stretching their advantage out to 12 points.
In their first shot at the line, multiple repeat sets saw the Roosters come close, although they were unable to crack rock-solid Sharks defence.
Busting two tackles and slamming the ball beside the corner post for the Roosters' first try was winger Manisha Seebeck, bringing the match back within reach.
On the stroke of half-time, Roosters interchange player Imogen Hei crashed through three defenders to take her team into the break only trailing by two.
It wasn't the return the Sharks wanted when they made a mistake from the kick-off, presenting the Roosters with another opportunity that resulted in mammoth amounts of pressure.
But switching the momentum was playmaker Ropata, using her footwork to slip past a wall of Roosters defenders. Winger Maraia Rorocola then ended up with the ball to open the second half-scoring and establish a 16-10 lead.
Presenting a ruthless attack, quick hands out to Cronulla's Milla Caine on the wing saw her barge over the line with just under 15 minutes remaining.
Roosters fullback Sienna Thomas was able to find a spot of weakness and advance her team 35 metres upfield, although desperation from the Sharks forced an error and turned over possession.
It typified a tough performance from Cronulla, who booked a playoffs berth with a record of eight wins and three losses throughout the regular season.
