Wests Tigers made Cronulla pay for their inability to convert pressure into points as Chris Lawrence scored late to hand the Tigers a thrilling 20-16 win at Toyota Stadium today.

Lawrence bagged his second try of the game in the 76th minute to give the Tigers their fourth win of the season after Cronulla looked to have secured the two points when Luke Covell's penalty goal gave them a two-point lead.

The Sharks dominated early, but paid dearly for their inability in attack as the Tigers out-scored their hosts four tries to two.

The win continued the Tigers impressive recent record against the Sharks with today their ninth straight win over their rivals.

It was also the second straight loss for the Sharks after they began the season with four wins in five games on the road.

Benji Marshall made a promising comeback for the Tigers after missing the past five weeks with a knee injury.

He looked uncomfortable early, but had more of an impact as the game wore on and looked dangerous in the closing stages.

Brett Hodgson scored one try in the second half and set up Lawrence for his first late in the opening half to give the Tigers a surprise 8-6 halftime lead.

Both coaches must have wondered how the Tigers led at the break.

The Sharks dominated the opening 30 minutes, yet despite looking set to explode with three or four tries, had just one - scored by Brett Kearney after a Brett Kimmorley break - to show for all their endeavour.

The Tigers looked lethargic from the kickoff despite the much-anticipated return of Marshall, but somehow managed to keep Cronulla at bay before scoring two late tries to take the most surprising of halftime leads.

Chris Heighington tunnelled over from dummy half in the 32nd to get the Tigers on the board before the visitors went ahead three minutes from the break when Hodgson sent centre Lawrence striding 40 metres untouched to the line.

Covell slotted a penalty goal to level the scores soon after the break, but Hodgson again gave the Tigers the lead in the 54th when he dummied his way through some disorganised Sharks defence to score.

Cronulla pivot Brett Seymour did likewise for Cronulla to again tie the game at 14-14, before Covell's penalty goal in the 68th.

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