Flegg Sharks earn dominant win over Manly

The win was Cronulla's second of the season and their first since Round 1 following an encouraging 20-all draw with the Rabbitohs last weekend.

The Sharks opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Kristian Dixon snaffled a cross-field kick to touch down, with the winger converting his four-pointer.

Manly quickly fired back as halfback Leroy Murray crossed from close-range.

Cronulla speedster Michael Gabrael put the hosts back on top after capitalising on a Manly error and reaching out to score in the corner. Dixon nailed a tough kick from the sideline to hand the Sharks a 12-4 advantage.

The tit-for-tat nature of the contest continued with Sea Eagles hooker Daniel O'Donnell burrowing over from dummy-half, cutting the margin to two.

The Sharks started fast after the break, marching upfield courtesy of a tearaway Felix Faatili who found fullback Liam Ison. They capitalised on the field position as Gabrael found another path to the in-goal on the right edge to claim a double.

Continuing to punch holes in the Manly defence, Sharks lock Sam McCulloch linked with Ison in the backfield and this time the diminutive No.1 couldn't be caught.

Despite losing prop Max Bradbury to a head knock, the momentum was firmly with the Sharks. It appeared Gabrael had notched up a hat-trick after pouncing on a grubber, only for the try to be disallowed.

But the hosts weren't to be denied minutes later, a slick pass from second-rower Dylan Coutts setting up a break on the left flank to Te Wehi Waitere. He cleverly kicked inside for Chad Jarvis to fall on the Steeden.

The Sea Eagles peppered the try-line in the latter stages of the game but the Sharks refused to wilt. Tempers flared at the death, ultimately leading to Cronulla's John-Thomas Manuofetoa being sin-binned.

The Jersey Flegg Sharks face the Raiders at GIO Stadium next Sunday.