Sharks take a bite out of Rabbitohs in cyclonic conditions

Cronulla have recorded their third straight win, 18-10 in the wet and wild conditions of Shark Park with 3,978 fans braving the weather.

Winds were gusting over 90 km/h in the Shire for a Monday night contest, where conditions resembled the aftermath of a hurricane than a football game. Both teams had to get down, complete their sets and hold onto the football which Cronulla did with aplomb, 36/39 was almost perfect in the playing conditions. 

Points were a premium tonight, highlighted by the opening five minutes with several handling errors. Sharks got down to play first, Jack Bird once again interjecting himself into the backline, the five-eighth took on the line created an overlap which found a way to Michael Gordon to touchdown. 

A high shot gave Sharks field possession again, running into the wind. Michael Ennis looked in wonderland playing in the conditions, dabbed a kick close to the line and found Luke Lewis, who cradled the ball with care to make an 10-nil lead that is worth almost double in the wet and wild nature of the game. 

Running into the gale force winds in the first 40, Souths didn't have many opportunities for attacking the opposition line. Their single chance in the 32nd minute, was once again from a half taking on the line. Luke Keary split the line earlier in the set and Greg Inglis played from that momentum to send Alex Johnston across, 10-4 big buddy at the break. 

The second half was exclusively held in the Cronulla half, as the wind inhibited their kicking game and South Sydney were rolling into their half within a few tackles. Following a penalty goal to stretch the lead to eight, South Sydney produced a wicked kick-off that rocketed to Jack Bird, who wasn't able to handle the ball. 

Rabbitohs capitalised on the mistake, as Keary took on the line again, grubbering through and finding the unlikely source of Chris McQueen to cut the deficit to two. McQueen almost had a second in the next set, as a bomb played havoc with the Sharks backline, allowing him to slice through but a slight Tim Grant chalked the score off. 

Souths were coming, the reigning premiers had regained their vigour and started rolling into the deep part of the Sharks half. Despite their opportunities they were unable to make any additional adjustments to the scoreboard, as the last tackle options kept finding Valentine Holmes including an outrageous pick up on his own line. 

Cronulla sensed blood, aiming up in defense and bruised the man with the ball including Jason Clark who spilled it on his own 20. Ennis once again was the provider with another grubber, through a sea of legs, finding Jayson Bukuya, who hugged the ball to the turf giving them back the eight point lead but importantly, a third straight win. 

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (18)
Tries: Michael Gordon, Luke Lewis, Jayson Bukuya
Field Goals: Valentine Holmes (0/1)
Conversions: Michael Gordon (1/2), Valentine Holmes (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes (1/1)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (10)
Tries: Alex Johnston, Chris McQueen
Field Goals:
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/2)
Penalty Goals:

Welcome to a wet and windy Shark Park for tonight's survival of the fittest, I mean rugby league game. Cronulla are riding high from two straight victories including snapping their ten game losing streak at home while the reigning premiers have hit a skid. They lost to Johnathan Thurston + 12 last weekend plus still missing their halfback, who would flourish in tonight's conditions. Join us safe in your loungeroom at 7:00PM AEST for LIVE coverage.

TEAM CHANGES:

CRO: Captain Paul Gallen is OUT with Jayson Bukuya starting in his place, while Matt Prior was shuffled into the starting team with Tinirau Arona and Sam Tagataese on the bench.

SOU: Welcome back Dylan Walker, the livewire centre has recovered from his hand injury to take his place in the backline. Cam McInnes will start with Chris Grevsmuhl moving to the bench.

Here come the teams from the safety of the dressing rooms. First the visitors, South Sydney, lead out by Greg Inglis to a smattering of boos. Next is the home side, ready to hit the soaked turf of Shark Park.

1: KICK-OFF!

2: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
David Tyrrell makes an unforced error.
Our first error of the night, Dave Tyrell couldn't hold on.

6: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Greg Inglis makes an unforced error.
Some nice work down the right from the Sharks forged the opening but Inglis saves the day.

7: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Michael Gordon. Kick to come.
Once again, Jack Bird was involved and created havoc. The five-eighth took on the line, flicked it out and it got to Michael Gordon who fell over the line.

8: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Gordon backing up to convert his own try, in these conditions. Firstly will the ball stay on the tee.. it has for the moment, as Gordon swung it wide.

12: Cronulla playing to the conditions currently. Robson after a juggle trapped Reddy in-goal.

14: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Gerard Beale makes an unforced error.
That was a bomb from Walker, who followed through and forced an error from Beale.

18: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
Luke Keary got reward for a poor kick, as Gordon spilled it returning it.

20: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Greg Inglis makes an unforced error.
Inglis tries to stand up some defenders but only finds reasons to lose the ball.

22: PENALTY Sharks, high shot from Gurgess.

23: VIDEO REFEREE: Michael Ennis toed through, Luke Lewis was on the end of it. Checking the knock-on.

24: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! No problem there, Lewis cradled the ball like a new born onto the dirt.

24: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon once again, being assisted by Valentine Holmes, slams it through.

26: Wade Graham looked to have kicked a lovely 40/20, on further review it landed juuuust outside.

32: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Alex Johnston. Kick to come.
Souths led by a Keary run earlier in the set, created an overlap. Inglis recognised it, threw a cut-out to Goodwin who sent Johnston sliding away.

33: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Issac Luke taking the kicking duties for South Sydney, just quickly hit the ball and missed.

33: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Greg Inglis makes an unforced error.
.. then the kick-off is rocketed to Inglis, who knocked on. Sharks scrum.

35: PENALTY SOUTHS, Luke caught them offside and Keary taps.

36: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Chris Grevsmuhl makes an unforced error.
Keary tried the short ball to Grevsmuhl, he is hit hard and smashed.

37: PENALTY SHARKS, offside.

38: Accidental offside from Gurgess to Stewart. Sharks scrum.

38: Early set-play from Bird almost caught the Bunnies out.

39: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Field goal attempt by Valentine Holmes unsuccessful.
A weird field goal attempt there, from Val Holmes, missing it left.

40: Some innovative play from Stewart, taking it to the line and kicking for Reddy who toed ahead almost for Walker. He was just beaten to the ball by Feki. HALFTIME.

41: Here we are, rockin' like a hurricane with the second half action!

44: Good kick from Inglis, trapping Holmes in-goal.

45: VIDEO REFEREE: George Burgess, after his brother went close last tackle, just surged onto the ball.. getting it on the line. Checking it.

45: RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Double movement by George.

47: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Dylan Walker makes an unforced error.
Walker tried to get the ball onto his toe, only knocking it on.

49: PENALTY SHARKS, Souths players had a nap on Graham there.

50: PENALTY SHARKS, Tim Grant was caught offside after Ennis darted.

51: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Valentine Holmes successful.
Sharks opt for two, Holmes steps up. He walks in and slams it through.

53: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jack Bird makes an unforced error.
In almost the same position as the Inglis one in the first half, Bird had a ball rocketed at him, unable to control it.

54: VIDEO REFEREE: McQueen looks to have snatched a Keary grubber, checking the grounding.

55: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Chris McQueen. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! No problems there!

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Issac Luke steps up for his second shot of the night, curves it through.

57: VIDEO REFEREE: Chris McQueen might have a double, checking the knock-on, called NO TRY.

57: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! A slight knock on from Tim Grant chalks it off.

60: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Ricky Leutele makes an unforced error.
Leutele tried going for a run, forgot the ball.

68: PENALTY SHARKS, Barba was taken high.

72: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Jason Clark makes an unforced error.
Sharks big defense has paid off. They forced an error from Jason Clark.

72: PENALTY SHARKS, Holmes was stripped after the play was called held.

74: VIDEO REFEREE: Jason Bukuya might have sealed the deal.

74: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Jayson Bukuya. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Bukuya handled with care after the Ennis grubber and won the game.

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Valentine Holmes successful.
Holmes converts to make it eight points.

79: PENALTY SOUTHS, Reddy was held down.

79: Inglis almost created something, knocked on.

80: FULLTIME :: Sharks have beaten the premiers, in the driving rain!