RUGBY LEAGUE
Valentine Holmes was again the star as the Cronulla Sharks continued their exceptional run of form after scoring an 18-14 win over the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday.
The Sharks had to do without Andrew and David Fifita, who were stood down by the club earlier in the week until an investigation into their conduct at a junior rugby league match is complete, and Luke Lewis with a knee injury.
A disappointing first half for Cronulla saw the hosts enjoy almost 70 per cent of possession as the Sharks struggled to get themselves into the contest.
The Warriors took the lead after five minutes as Konrad Hurrell marked his return to the team with a try when Manu Vatuvei knocked down a cross-field kick into the giant centre’s path.
New Zealand then set up camp on Cronulla’s line but were unable to crack a committed Sharks defensive unit despite enjoying a number of consecutive sets of six.
The Warriors extended their lead to 10-0 when captain Simon Mannering scored next to the posts just before half-time.
But as has so often happened in 2015, the Sharks refused to quit.
Cronulla hit back five minutes into the second half as Valentine Holmes produced a sublime finish to score in the corner.
The Warriors extended their lead to 12-6 with a penalty goal before Holmes produced the play of the day.
Gerard Beale slipped Holmes down the right hand side with a superb flick pass before Holmes chipped over Sam Tomkins, regained and scored to get Cronulla back in the game.
Another penalty goal saw the Warriors regain the lead, but the Sharks still had one more card to play.
Ricky Leutele crashed over out wide with nine minutes remaining to give Cronulla the lead for the first time in the match – a lead they would not relinquish.
The win was Cronulla’s seventh in their last eight games and saw them move up to fifth place on 26 points.
Leader Scoreboard
Cronulla Sharks 18 (V Holmes 2, R Leutele tries. M Gordon three goals)
Defeated
New Zealand Warriors 14 (K Hurrell, S Mannering tries. T Lolohea three goals)
At Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
Crowd: 12,481.
Leader man of the match: Valentine Holmes.
Sharks’ next three: Cowboys (home), Storm (home), Tigers (home).
Can the Sharks do it again?