In hot and steamy conditions at McCredie Park in Guildford, the Jersey Flegg Sharks have come from behind to register their second win from three starts to begin the 2021 season.
The Sharks trailed 18-12 midway through the second period before three tries in the final quarter of the contest propelled the Cronulla side to a strong 26-18 win.
Backing up a narrow win the previous week over the Victorian Thunderbolts the Sharks are now well placed after the opening three rounds of the competition.
The match began in disastrous fashion for Cronulla, an error bringing the ball back from inside their own quarter gifting the Eels first points.
The conversion from close range put the Eels on top by six, but the Sharks responded, Franklin Pele using his power and size to crash over to the left of the posts.
The simple conversion was pushed wide, leaving the Eels on top by two.
The Sharks would then take their first lead of the afternoon, halfback Angus Ernst spotting an opening and darting through and when Kyle Pickering added the extra two it was 10-6 Cronulla.
Parramatta then went back in front with half time approaching, Mark Tepu-Smith touching down, with the conversion successful, before Pickering levelled the scores at 12-apiece with a long range penalty goal as the siren was sounding.
The Eels then took the lead just three minutes into the half, but from there the Sharks found another gear as the Parramatta team tired somewhat in the warm conditions.
Pickering ran a determined line to get across the line and bring his team within two, then it was a rampaging Jenson Taumoepeau who ran through the middle of the opposition defence to dive over close to the uprights.
Pickering kicked the second of the two conversions and the Sharks had their noses in front 22-18 with under 10 minutes of the match to go.
Then the final nail in the Eels coffin came courtesy of a try to back rower Kai Parker, one of the Sharks best on the day, sealing the result.
Along with Parker, skipper Jack Boyling, hooker Isaac Longmiur, prop Pele and Taumoepeau after a shaky start, where amongst the Sharks leading contributors.
The Flegg Sharks next match is against the Roosters at PointsBet Stadium next Friday night.
JERSEY FLEGG
SHARKS 26
Jenson Taumoepeau, Kai Parker, Kyle Pickering, Angus Ernst, Franklin Pele tries, Pickering 3 goals
beat
Eels 18
