​Sharks sizzle against injury-depleted Dragons

Cronulla have celebrated Luke Lewis' 250th game in fine fashion overcoming the Dragons 28-8 in front of 12,792 fans at Remondis Stadium.

After a disappointing loss to Manly last week, the Sharks returned to the Shire with Paul Gallen and Michael Ennis back to bolster their forward pack.

For the Dragons, their injury problems continued to mount resulting in Drew Hutchison making his first grade debut in place of the injured Benji Marshall.

The home side wasted little time in asserting their dominance, with Wade Graham delivering a beautiful cut-out pass for Sosaia Feki to crash over after just three minutes.

While the Sharks appeared to have a significant advantage over the visitors early on, the Dragons were able to hold on for much of the first half before the pressure finally tolled.

Celebrating his 250th game in first grade, Luke Lewis continued his impressive try-scoring form to crash over in the 23rd minute, before Valentine Holmes finished off an impressive attacking raid only moments later to blow the scoreline out to 16-0.

Just before halftime the Dragons were able to respond through Charly Runciman who dived over in the corner.

The Dragons started the second half with a renewed enthusiasm which prevented the Sharks from building upon their lead.

After repeated attempts to narrow the scoreline, the Dragons appeared certain to score through Ben Creagh only for Ben Barba to come up with one of the finest try-saving tackles of the season.

Having repelled the Dragons consistently and buoyed by Barba's momentum changing tackle, the Sharks secured the win in the 66th minute courtesy of a grubber kick from Michael Ennis that found Andrew Fifita.

The Sharks added a final try ten minutes out from fulltime courtesy of Ben Barba, but the visiting Dragons were able to post a late consolation four-pointer after Charly Runciman picked up his second following a long-range bust.

The Sharks forwards laid the platform for the win with Andrew Fifita starring with over 200 metres, while Paul Gallen also acquainted himself back in the Cronulla pack after missing the past month through Origin.

For the Dragons, the absence of regular players hurt them once again, however inexperienced duo Justin Hunt and Charly Runciman both showed great potential which should see them spend more time in first grade.

Next week the Sharks face a big test against the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday afternoon in a game which may decided which side goes on to challenge for the finals; while the Dragons will be out to stop their five-game losing streak at the Sydney Cricket Ground against South Sydney on Saturday night.

Match Details

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28 St. George Illawarra Dragons 8
Venue: Remondis Stadium
Crowd: 12792
Halftime Score: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 St. George Illawarra Dragons 4

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (28)
Tries: Sosaia Feki, Luke Lewis, Valentine Holmes, Andrew Fifita, Ben Barba
Conversions: Michael Gordon (2/3), Valentine Holmes (2/2)

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (8)
Tries: Charly Runciman (2)
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (0/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Andrew Fifita
2 points - Ben Barba
1 point - Charly Runciman

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Sunday afternoon football between Cronulla Sharks and St. George Illawarra Dragons at Remondis Stadium.

Cronulla have one change with former Dragon Matt Prior replaced by Sam Tagaetese in the front row. Chris Heighington comes onto the bench after beating a dangerous throw charge at the judiciary.

St. George Illawarra have made a number of changes: Josh Dugan is out meaning Justin Hunt moves from wing to fullback; Charly Runciman comes onto the wing. Benji Marshall is out; Drew Hutchison will make his NRL debut in jersey #23. Joel Thompson is replaced by Jake Marketo in the second row. Nathan Green and Mark Ioane come onto the bench.

Luke Lewis leads the Sharks onto Remondis Stadium for his 250th game. A great achievement for a great player.

Fifita takes the first run of the afternoon.

Justin Hunt takes the first run for the Dragons.

2: Sharks work their way into the Dragons half and earn a penalty.

3: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Sosaia Feki. Kick to come.
Beautiful work by the Sharks. Wade Graham delivers a wonderful pass to find Feki out wide.

4: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
From the left sideline, Gordon pushes the kick to the right.

5: Big run back from Tagaetese. Plenty of intent early on for the Sharks.

6: Wade Graham puts in another great long pass to Sosaia Feki, but Justin Hunt is able to clean up defuse the situation.

7: Sam Tagaetese throws a pass which is dived upon by the Dragons just over halfway.

7: Great work from Luke Lewis shuts down Gareth Widdop.

9: Graham's kick rolls over the dead ball line. 20 metre re-start for the Dragons.

11: Ennis puts in a kick out of dummy half, but once again Justin Hunt is on the spot to defuse the situation.

11: Dragons get a relieving penalty.

12: Sam Tagaetese intercepts a stray Dragons offload.

13: Justin Hunt races away after the Sharks spread the ball on the last tackle.

14: Dragons put the ball into touch just short of the try line.

15: Valentine Holmes streaks away but Justin Hunt is able to pressure the Sharks flyer into touch.

17: Andrew Fifita draws a penalty against Ben Creagh.

18: Graham taken just short of the try line for Cronulla.

19: Jack Bird is claiming a try, but Charly Runciman was able to ground the ball after knocking on. Line drop out.

20: Robson's kick is taken by Hunt. The Sharks have dominated possession, but the Dragons are hanging on.

21: 7 tackle set for the Sharks. Widdop's kick rolls dead after kicking from over halfway.

22: Wade Graham gets a penalty after Drew Hutchison was ruled to have a hand on the ball.

22: Jake Marketo stops Paul Gallen short of the line.

23: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
The milestone man gets himself another try.

24: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
10-0 for the Sharks. The Dragons will need to ensure the scoreline doesn't blow out from here.

25: Gallen busts his way over the halfway line.

26: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
There in again! Great work from the home side to get the ball out wide.

27: The Sharks are blowing the Dragons away. Andrew Fifita has been at the centre of the Cronulla go-forward, he's made over 100 metres already.

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Beautiful work from the fullback to nail the kick from the sideline.

29: Charly Runciman almost gets away from the Sharks but Jack Bird takes his former teammate to ground.

30: 16 missed tackles so far for the Dragons. Worrying signs.

30: Nightingale is driven over the sideline by four Sharks defenders.

32: Great take from Runciman to take a Robson bomb.

34: George Rose about to come on for St. George Illawarra.

35: Terrible end to the Dragons set. Jack Bird has no trouble wrapping up Peter Mata'utia.

37: Dragons get a 20 metre re-start but it appeared to look like Justin Hunt got a touch as the ball went dead.

38: From his own goal line, Michael Gordon makes a 50 metre break, but passes the ball to Justin Hunt!

38: Charly Runciman is claiming a try! Great cut out pass found the Dubbo junior out wide.

38: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Charly Runciman. Kick to come.
Big turnaround for the Dragons. Gordon looked to be away, but the visitors are able to strike back before the break.

39: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
From the sideline, the kick is waved away.

40: The siren sounds and the Sharks are looking good at this stage.

40: Sharks have dominated the first half, but the late try to Runciman will give the Dragons confidence.

40: Ah Mau takes the first run of the second half.

41: Ennus looks for a 40/20 but the Dragons are able to clean up.

42: Penalty for the Dragons on halfway.

42: Another Dragons penalty, this time right in front of the posts.

43: Justin Hunt almost makes his way through the Sharks defence to score.

44: Michael Ennis comes up with the ball after the Dragons throw the ball on the last.

44: Michael Gordon has lost possession inside his own half.

44: Drew Hutchison earns a penalty. The Dragons are getting plenty of opportunities but the Sharks are holding firm.

46: Leeson Ah Mau held up over the line by 3 Sharks defenders.

47: Sharks survive another Dragons attacking raid.

48: Michael Gordon off, Ben Barba on for Cronulla.

49: Sharks fortunately get away with a dropped ball close to their try line.

49: Justin Hunt taken in a high tackle has resulted in both sides coming together for a bit of push-and-shove.

51: Ben Barba can't quite get away from Charly Runciman.

52: Mitch Rein back on for the Dragons.

52: Ben Barba saves a certain try on a rampaging Ben Creagh.

52: One of the best tackles you will see right there from Barba.

54: Nightingale loses the ball over the sideline.

55: After seeing the opening 15 minutes of the second half, I can't see the Dragons winning this. Great defence from Cronulla.

56: Nightingale defuses a Sharks high ball on his own line.

57: Penalty to Cronulla.

57: The Sharks have lifted since Barba pulled off that remarkable tackle on Ben Creagh.

58: Justin Hunt and Gareth Widdop make a 50 metre bust after Andrew Fifita lost the ball on the try line.

58: Luke Lewis concedes a penalty on halfway.

59: Will Matthews can't hold onto a Hutchison short pass.

60: Euan Aitken dives on a loose Cronulla pass.

63: Dragons concede an accidental offside on their try line. Sharks with a massive chance to take a big step towards winning this game.

65: Justin Hunt comes up with a diving catch after Jack Bird was able to put a foot to a loose ball.

66: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Andrew Fifita. Kick to come.
Michael Ennis' grubber kick comes up trumps for the big front rower. Sharks will win !

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Valentine Holmes successful.
From in front of the posts, Holmes takes the Sharks out to 22-4.

69: Great charge from Paul Gallen.

70: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Ben Barba. Kick to come.
That's it for the Sharks. Ben Barba grubbers ahead, Feki picks it up and passes to his fullback.

71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Valentine Holmes successful.
From the touchline, Holmes swings the ball between the posts.

71: The way the Dragons have played in this second half they deserve better than the current scoreline.

71: Graham finds touch close to the Dragons try line.

73: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Charly Runciman. Kick to come.
Great work from the Dragons, a few offloads and Runciman takes on Barba to score.

74: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
No good for Widdop. 28-8.

77: Cronulla defuse the Sharks attempts to spread the ball wide.

79: Graham kicks the ball into touch. He's done a fair bit of kicking today.

80: Justin Hunt is taken in the final tackle of the day.

80: Sharks comprehensive today.