CRONULLA SHARKS 20 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 18
CALLUM WALKER, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney, Friday

CRONULLA maintained their grip on a top four spot with a hard-fought win over a Newcastle side whose goalkicking let them down when they needed it most.

Whilst the Sharks’ Nicho Hynes nailed all three try conversions and a penalty, Kalyn Ponga knocked over just one conversion, despite the Knights crossing the line four times.

It was fourth (Sharks) against fifth (Knights) and the closeness between the two sides was evident throughout as they both played their part in a see-saw affair.

Briton Nikora came in for Siosifa Talakai as Mawene Hiroti replaced Jesse Ramien, who scored two tries in Cronulla’s thrashing of the Dolphins last weekend, whilst Bradman Best and Brodie Jones returned for Newcastle.

And it was the Knights that started the brighter of the two finals hopefuls, Ponga skipping round KL Iro to dive over on nine minutes.

A 4-0 lead was easily quashed six minutes later when a Braydon Trindall bomb caused havoc in the Newcastle defence.

Ronaldo Mulitalo jumped highest and his ricochet bounced into the gleeful arms of Will Kennedy, who fell over the line. Hynes made it 6-4 with the boot.

But, the topsy-turvy nature of this fixture continued as the visitors hit back moments later, the returning Best sent Greg Marzhew on his way and the powerful winger proved unstoppable.

Again, though, Ponga couldn’t convert and the Sharks once more took the lead with the half-hour in sight.

Ponga spilled a Trindall grubber and, from the subsequent scrum, Kennedy fed Sione Katoa on his inside.

The Tongan international goose-stepped his way through paper-thin defence as Hynes sent Cronulla into a 12-8 lead.

And Hynes would continue the scoreboard ticking over shortly after when Billy Burns was taken high on his way to the whitewash.

But, that seemed to rejuvenate the Knights once more and a brilliantly-timed Fletcher Sharpe pass sent Dylan Lucas over on the stroke of half-time.

Ponga was once more wayward with the conversion attempt as Cronulla led 14-12 at the break.

The second-half began immediately as the first did – with both sides in the mood to play.

But it was the home side that struck first this time, Trindall supplying a wonderful looping pass to the onrushing Mulitalo.

Hynes kept up his 100 percent kicking record to make it 20-12 and ensure the Knights had to score twice to win – they couldn’t.

Some incredible defence from Hynes managed to keep out Francis Manuleleua after Dane Gagai had caught a Dylan Brown bomb before Best lost control of a Ponga chip.

It was from a massive Brown kick that the Knights set up a grandstand finish, though. Trindall failed to defuse and Best hacked on the loose ball before Marzhew slid across the line from a superb pick-up.

Ponga this time converted to reduce the deficit to just two points with 90 seconds to go, but there would be no great escape for the Knights as Kennedy caught a Best kick on the hooter.

GAMESTAR: Nicho Hynes was everywhere for Cronulla and his four conversions were crucial at full-time.

GAMEBREAKER: Three missed conversions from Kalyn Ponga proved the difference in the end.

MATCHFACTS

SHARKS
1 Will Kennedy
2 Sione Katoa
4 KL Iro
19 Mawene Hiroti
5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
6 Braydon Trindall
7 Nicho Hynes
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Blayke Brailey
10 Tom Hazelton
11 Briton Nikora
12 Teig Wilton
13 Cameron McInnes
Subs
14 Hohepa Puru
16 Billy Burns
17 Oregon Kaufusi
18 Tuku Hau Tapuha
20 Sam Stonestreet (not used)
22 Jayden Berrell (not used)

Tries: Kennedy (15), Katoa (27), Mulitalo (49)
Goals: Hynes 4/4

KNIGHTS
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Dom Young
3 Dane Gagai
4 Bradman Best
5 Greg Marzhew
6 Fletcher Sharpe
7 Dylan Brown
8 Tyson Frizell
9 Phoenix Crossland
10 Trey Mooney
11 Dylan Lucas
12 Fancis Manuleleua
13 Mat Croker
Subs
14 Sandon Smith (not used)
15 Lachlan Crouch
16 Thomas Cant
17 Brodie Jones
18 Fletcher Hunt (not used)
19 Harrison Graham

Tries: Ponga (9), Marzhew (20, 79), Lucas (39)
Goals: Ponga 1/4

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 6-4, 6-8, 12-8, 14-8, 14-12; 20-12, 20-18

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Sharks: Nicho Hynes; Knights: Dylan Brown

Penalty count: 7-2
Half-time: 14-12
Referee: Ashley Klein
Attendance: 11,123