MANLY SEA EAGLES 12 CRONULLA SHARKS 48
STEPHEN IBBETSON, 4 Pines Park, Sunday

CRONULLA cemented their top-four place with a Nicho Hynes-inspired victory over a Manly side whose finals hopes have taken another hit.

Hynes scored 20 points with a try and conversions of all eight Manly touchdowns, another couple of which he assisted.

While the Sharks sit pretty, a fourth straight defeat for Manly – and their heaviest of the season – presents Kieran Foran with his biggest challenge yet as coach.

A poor tackling performance was epitomised by two missed efforts in an eleventh-minute Ronaldo Mulitalo break, from which Teig Wilton crossed.

Will Kennedy then dived on an Oregon Kaufusi offload on the end of a sweet improvised passage of play.

While Tolutau Koula hit back for Manly, Cronulla swiftly re-established their dominance as Braydon Trindall passed over the top for Mulitalo.

Hynes crashed over for his try then Sione Katoa made it 30-6 at half-time.

Early in the second half, Mulitalo had acres of space to receive a bullet pass from Hynes, who then set up a Siosifa Talakai try with a skilful break.

KL Iro touched down a Kennedy kick for the final Sharks try before Joey Walsh snuck through for a late consolation and Jamal Foagrty kicked his second goal.

SEA EAGLES: 1 Lehi Hopoate, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Josh Feledy, 4 Reuben Garrick, 5 Tolutau Koula, 6 Joey Walsh, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Teniela Paseka, 14 Nicholas Lenaz, 10 Simione Laifai, 11 Haumole Olakua’atu, 12 Ben Trbojevic, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Subs: 9 Jake Simpkin, 15 Nathan Brown, 16 Kobe Hetherington, 17 Ethan Bullemor, 19 Blake Wilson (not used), 20 Onitoni Large (not used)

Tries: Koula (22), Walsh (74); Goals: Fogarty 2/2

SHARKS: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nicho Hynes, 14 Jesse Colquhoun, 9 Blayke Brailey, 17 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cameron McInnes. Subs: 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 15 Billy Burns, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 18 Hohepa Puru, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha (not used), 20 Mawene Hiroti (not used)

Tries: Wilton (11), Kennedy (16), Mulitalo (27, 44), Hynes (35), Katoa (38), Talakai (51), Iro (66); Goals: Hynes 8/8

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 6-12, 6-18, 6-24, 6-30; 6-36, 6-42, 6-48, 12-48

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate; Sharks: Nicho Hynes

Penalty count: 4-3
Half-time: 6-30
Referee: Grant Atkins
Attendance: 17,126