Sharks make it four on the trot9 July 2011, 7:57 pmCronulla's revival has continued with a fourth straight NRL victory, the Sharks virtually ending Canberra's hopes of making the finals with a 26-12 win at Toyota Stadium.
The Sharks disposed of an error-riddled Raiders with a five tries to two victory that will leave them on the edge of the top eight and well in the battle for a play-off spot as the regular season enters its final eight weeks.
In-form half Wade Graham, Colin Best, Jason Bukuya, Taulima Tautai and Ben Pomeroy scored tries for the home side with Chad Townsend booting three from five in front of 10,303 fans.
For the disappointing Raiders, ex-Shark Blake Ferguson and Jarrod Croker scored four-pointers with Croker adding two goals.
Sharks and NSW captain courageous Paul Gallen sent a scare through the Cronulla camp when he looked to have suffered a nasty injury late in the first half.
He immediately signalled to the trainer and went straight up the tunnel in the 29th minute before reports he had suffered a "stinger" to the right shoulder/neck area.
He returned to the field in the 47th minute to play out the match.
As expected, Ferguson was booed roundly at every opportunity in his first trip back to Shark Park since his controversial decision to activate a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Cronulla last year.
Canberra were lucky to only trail 14-12 at halftime after completing less than half their sets in the first 40 minutes.
Cronulla eventually improved their lead in the 59th minute when video referee Russell Smith ruled interchange forward Tautai had grounded the ball as he carried three defenders over the line, the conversion making it 20-12.
They got close again when Graham split the defence but his grubber just couldn't find the support looming on the inside, and again when Sam Tagataese dummied instead of throwing to his unmarked team-mates.
The final nail in the Raiders' coffin came in the 69th minute when Pomeroy picked up the scraps of a Townsend kick.
The victory sets up a huge derby with St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Oval on Monday week, with the Sharks having already beaten the Dragons this year.
The Raiders now realistically need to win all eight remaining games to make the finals.
Source: Sky News Australia
Topic: Sharks make it four on the trot
