The Sharks have downed the Dragons in a tight contest winning 24-18 and the Red V’s finals hopes.
Marquee playmaker Nicho Hynes kicked off the scoring, throwing a big dummy to duck on the inside of veteran Tariq Sims.
“There is plenty of responsibility on Nicho Hynes tonight,” Greg Alexander said.
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MATCH CENTRE: Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons, live scores
“Throws the dummy, gets on the inside of Tariq Sims, and Sims can’t stop him.”
But, to kick off the local derby’s back and forth, Jack De Belin got his hands on a bouncing Ben Hunt kick to cross.
The contest then became ugly after backrower Tariq Sims struck Sharks gun Connor Tracey with a forceful blow to the face.
The Cronulla outside back had to be stretchered from the field and Sims was sent to the sin bin.
In that time, Sharks replacement playmaker Braydon Trindall took over, scoring a try and recording a try assist to stamp his authority on the contest.
“Braydon Trindall again, at speed, runs to the line… just look at him, takes off,” Alexander said.
“Braydon Trindall has been the man in this first half.”
“The man who is really shining in the absence of Matt Moylan,” Ginnane said.
Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey was binned on the stroke of halftime, and to start the second half Tautau Moga and Mat Feagai scored for the Dragons to claw back the lead.
“The Dragons pounce,” Dan Ginnane said.
“Mat Feagai, grabs the Dragons a try that gets them right back into it,” Greg Alexander said.
But, in a brutal blow to the club’s finals hopes, Wade Graham scored after young gun Tyrell Sloan dropped a domb.
While the Dragons were valiant in attack in the closing minutes they couldn’t do enough to get the win.
“The Dragons season is all but over,” Dan Ginnane said.
MATCH WRAP
55TH MINUTE
The Dragons have scored an a crucial try to keep their finals hopes alive, with Mat Feagai scoring in the corner.
Ben Hunt throw a bullet pass out to Jack Bird who handed the ball off to his winger to score.
The Dragons need every possible competition point if they are a chance of slotting into the top eight.
“The Dragons pounce,” Dan Ginnane said.
“Mat Feagai, grabs the Dragons a try that gets them right back into it,” Greg Alexander said.
“A sin bin and two tries later, we have a serious contest,” Ginnane added.
But, in a brutal blow, the Sharks scored a try after young gun Tyrell Sloan dropped a swirling bomb.
Blayke Brailey found himself with ball in hand, passing to Wade Graham in open space.
45TH MINUTE
The Dragons have hit back, courtesy of a floated pass from young gun Junior Amone to find Tautau Moga.
The Sharks tryline defence had held the Red V out, prompting the five-eighth to look out wide and turn Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo around.
26TH MINUTE
Sharks half Braydon Trindall sliced through the Dragons line to score, handing his side the lead.
Trindall was a late replacement for Matt Moylan, who was ruled out due to a quad injury.
According to Fox League’s Lara Pitt, the 31-year-old playmaker will be fit for Round 22.
But only moments later, Trindall again charged at the line, finding Teig Wilton with a short ball to cross with his first tough.
“Braydon Trindall again, at speed, runs to the line… just look at him, takes off,” Alexander said.
“Braydon Trindall has been the man in this first half.”
“The man who is really shining in the absence of Matt Moylan,” Ginnane said.
Only moments later, Blayke Brailey was sent to the bin for a professional foul.
12TH MINUTE
Dragons veteran Tariq Sims was sin binned for an ugly high shot which forced Sharks gun Connor Tracey to be stretchered off the field.
Sims shoulder made direct contact with Tracey’s chin and as a result was given his marching orders.
Fox League’s Dan Ginnane was shocked Sims wasn’t sent off.
“That would be the minimum there and that is a best case result for the Dragons,” Dan Ginnane said.
3RD MINUTE
Sharks marquee star Nicho Hynes opened the scoring only three minutes into the contest, throwing a big dummy before ducking underneath the tackle of Tariq Sims.
The scores sit level at 6-6 in the cross-town derby — and the playmaking responsibility sits on Hynes’ shoulders in Moylan’s absence.
“There is plenty of responsibility on Nicho Hynes tonight,” Greg Alexander said.
“Throws the dummy, gets on the inside of Tariq Sims, and Sims can’t stop him.”
Moments later, Dragons forward Jack De Belin was able to collect a bouncing Ben Hunt kick to score his side’s first.
Sensationally, the star forward is only one try away from being the club’s leading try scorer.
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