CRONULLA overcame the controversy surrounding the Fifita brothers and a hostile Belmore crowd in claiming a gritty 18-16 win over Canterbury on Sunday.
The Sharks grafted their way to a two-point win over fellow top eight hopefuls the Bulldogs in front of a sold out Belmore Sports Ground.
The win saw Cronulla jump to sixth on the NRL table but the Sharks will be sweating on the fitness of veteran back-rower Luke Lewis who left the field in the 67th minute and could miss at least two weeks with a knee injury.
Captain Paul Gallen was also placed on report for a high tackle.
David Fifita was left out of the final 17-man squad after the team's captain's run
Andrew Fifita turned in an "indifferent" performance according to coach Shane Flanagan after the brothers were accused of an incident involving match officials at a Penrith District Junior Rugby League game on Saturday.
The pair watched an A-grade game between St Joseph's and St Marys at Glenwood where David acted as an on-field trainer and Andrew was a spectator.
It has been alleged that at least one brother threatened the referees with physical abuse.
Flanagan said after the game that it was a difficult situation.
"We haven't got all the information as yet. We'll definitely deal with it as a club and be really strong and as quick as we can do it we'll do it," he said.
"[Andrew's] performance today was indifferent. He carried some real good carries there at the end. Gave away a few penalties. He had a bit on his mind I suppose.
"There's a lot of things go into it ... we're not making excuses here. As I said the club will deal with it really strongly."
On the field, it was a performance that typified the Sharks in 2015.
Michael Ennis was the star for Cronulla as he led the Sharks against his former team.
Ennis set up two tries and was full of energy, with Flanagan full of praise for the 31-year-old rake despite not being entirely happy with the team's performance.
"I thought he was outstanding. He put Gal over for a try. Kicked for a good try. Some of his defence (was outstanding) playing for 80 minutes against his old club," he said.
"We made 16 errors with the football and kicked out on the full twice.
"Usually if you do that, especially against a team like the Bulldogs, we'd get beaten by a fair score.
"But we were really brave and turned up time and time again and kept a pretty good attacking team out."
Cronulla Sharks 18 (Michael Gordon, Paul Gallen, Valentine Holmes tries. Holmes two goals, Gordon goal) d Canterbury Bulldogs 16 (Josh Morris, Frank Pritchard, Michael Lichaa tries. Trent Hodkinson two goals.)
Belmore Sports Ground crowd: 19,005; Leader man of the match: Michael Ennis.
Sharks’ next three: Warriors (away), Cowboys (home), Storm (home).
