The Sharks pushed Parramatta all the way on Sunday in a game played in torrential rain at Netstrata Jubilee oval, just letting the game slip out of their hands and losing 14-12.
Shaun Johnson was in everything, producing a try-saving tackle in the first half, applying pressure with his astute general play kicking including a pinpoint 40/20 kick and setting up two tries but the halfback's three missed goals allowed the Eels to pinch the win.
Parramatta's Mitch Moses landed a 69th-minute penalty that proved the difference in an entertaining, frantic match and the Sharks now sit in eighth spot on the NRL ladder while the Eels remain one point off leaders Penrith.
The pelting rain and groundwater created some handling errors, but the sides displayed tremendous skill and flair to put on a tight battle that no one deserved to lose.
There was a lot for the Sharks to play for, with captain Wade Graham, playing his 200th match for the club, and Jesse Ramien his 50th whilst Aaron Woods and Josh Duggans 200th's were also celebrated.
Adding a little extra incentive to the clash was the Johnny Mannah trophy honouring the memory of a man to have left a legacy at both Sydney clubs.
An Eels junior who joined the Sharks in 2009, Mannah tragically passed away in January of 2013 after losing his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma, aged just 23, with the two teams playing for a Cup bearing his name ever since.
There was also a minute silence to mark the loss of a Sharks true pioneer-Kevin Hogan.
Shark 51 was his official club number, one spot below Tommy Bishop. Hogan captained the Sharks during the 1971 season in a career which spanned five seasons and 109 games.
During his time in Cronulla colours, Hogan would play alongside some of the Shark's greats in Bishop, Pierce, Turner, Chris Wellman, Ken Maddison and Cliff Watson in what was a golden era for the club.
Hogan also played the 1974 season at the Parramatta Eels and joined the Cronulla Board of Directors in 1989, helping to steer the Sharks though some challenging times.
Former Club President and Sharks halfback Barry Russell said he was loved by all and will be missed by many.
."Kev was a special person to me, he was a mentor, a great mate and had a massive impact on our Club and many of the players that represented the Black, White and Blue."
While the two points went the way of the Eels in an atrocious night, the Sharks would have been proud of their efforts in pushing one of the premiership favourites all the way to the finish in a game that meant a lot to many people.
The Sharks had their chances, a couple of 50-50 calls late in the match going the way of the opposition, but in the end, the Eels were good enough to hold on and they will now look to regroup ahead of a 3pm Saturday game at Kogarah against the Titans next week.