Sharks stave off Raiders in nation's capital

Cronulla jumped out to a 12-0 lead and didn't trail at any stage, but Canberra ensured a close contest with four tries of their own at GIO Stadium.

The score was locked at 22-all midway through the second half before tries to fullback Will Kennedy and lock Jesse Colquhoun propelled the visitors home.

Tempers flared early after Raiders firebrand Corey Horsburgh was sin-binned for a professional foul on Nicho Hynes, committing a hot-headed tackle on the Sharks halfback from an offside position following a quick tap. 

Cronulla wasted no time scoring from the numerical advantage as five-eighth Braydon Trindall angled hard-running second-rower Teig Wilton through a gap.

A pinpoint bomb from the next set led to a line dropout for the Sharks, who quickly extended their advantage through centre KL Iro. It was again the left edge that dealt the damage with Trindall and Kennedy combining.

Back to 13 men, the Raiders responded in the 17th minute after electric custodian Kaeo Weekes backed up a break from winger Xavier Savage. But the joy was short-lived for the visitors, with Cronulla quickly reclaiming a 12-point lead when back-rower Billy Burns burst through a hole off a Hynes short ball.

Canberra took only four minutes to hit back, edge forward Hudson Young crossing for their second try after deceiving the defence with a dummy close to the line.

The Sharks were denied a sensational try in the 36th minute with flanker Sione Katoa's acrobatic finish overturned due to a boot grazing the sideline.

With newfound momentum, the Raiders nearly snatched a four-pointer on the stroke of half-time, but Cronulla scrambled well enough to defuse the threat.

The hosts picked up where they left off when play resumed, striking the first blow of the second half with winger Savelio Tamale touching down. Once more, the Sharks stormed back as a fumbled kick landed in the lap of Blayke Brailey, the hooker then linking with try-scoring whiz Sam Stonestreet in the corner.

Fancy footwork enabled Savage to pinch a soft try for Canberra in the 55th minute, the ensuing conversion tying the game for the first time at 22-all.

Despite the parochial home crowd willing on the Raiders, Cronulla refused to wilt. Kennedy sliced past the defence to put the away team back in front before lock Jesse Colquhoun all but sealed the result with a simple try in the 71st minute.

Canberra pushed hard for a miracle in the dying stages, but the Sharks took home the spoils to impressively break a two-game losing slump. A Hynes penalty goal iced the performance.

Cronulla will next face the Warriors on Easter Sunday at Ocean Protect Stadium.