Sharks buck trend to out-point Storm

v BYE

Cronulla have defied their recent record against the Storm to record a 14-6 victory at Southern Cross Group Stadium tonight in front of 9,000 hardy fans.

Despite an indifferent first half where the Storm absorbed plenty of pressure to lead 6-4 at the break, the Sharks managed to turn on a dominant second half and score ten unanswered points for an eight-point win.

Melbourne started the stronger of the two sides with Felise Kaufusi crossing off a Blake Green short ball in the 19th minute. The try came just moments after centre Will Chambers had rejoined play having been sinbinned in the eighth minute. Chambers had held Valentine Holmes down after the Sharks' winger had grabbed an intercept.

Cronulla did strike back near the half hour mark, with Ben Barba burning up the park with a scintillating run from the Storm 40m line. Maloney failed to convert and the Sharks would trail by two right through til the halftime break.

The Sharks didn't let up in the second half, having possession for 9 of the first 10 sets after the resumption, including the last try of the contest just after the break. Chad Townsend crossed under the posts after a Holmes break.

It would be two penalty goals to the home side which saw the final scoreline reach 14-6, including one the Sharks converted after Melbourne's Marika Koroibete was placed on report for a trip on Townsend. The electrifying Storm winger was among the losing side's best but will likely miss next Saturday's clash with Newcastle at AAMI Park should the Match Review Committee deem it a chargeable offence.

Cronulla meanwhile have a trip to Campbelltown later the same afternoon where they'll face the Wests Tigers.