Sharks bite too hard for Titans 30-14
Cronulla turned on the skill and the desperation to continue Gold Coast's misery on the road with a 30-14 NRL win at Toyota Stadium.
The Sharks staged a tremendous second half comeback to consolidate their spot in the top eight, the Titans stranded on just three wins outside the holiday strip since coming into the competition last year.
Down 14-8 following a Titans' try two minutes after halftime, the Sharks suddenly found their groove to blow the visitors off the park with three tries in the space of nine minutes.
Showing a desire to spread the ball not evident too many times this year, the Sharks probed the Titans' defence with Luke Covell opening the blitz on the end of a swift backline movement.
The next two tries came on the back of Brett Kimmorley kicks that ricocheted off the legs of Titans; Ben Pomeroy grabbing his second of the afternoon before Greg Bird made it 24-14 just short of the hour.
A desperate Gold Coast started chancing their arm and, when a Preston Campbell 40-20 attempt sailed over the sideline, their heads dropped.
Luke Covell completed his double and an 18-point haul moments later to confirm the result.
Despite running into a strong southerly buster, it was all the Sharks early with coach Ricky Stuart's stinging criticism following last week's loss to the Bulldogs still ringing in the players' ears.
Despite having the No.13 on his back, Greg Bird looked every bit the NSW five-eighth as he put Pomeroy through a tight hole for a 6-0 lead after seven minutes.
The Titans couldn't get out of their half, the speed of the Sharks defensive line and a 6-0 penalty count conspiring against the visitors who at one stage resorted to cross field kicks from Scott Prince and Ben Jeffrey in a bid to zigzag their way upfield.
The visitors copped a break when Kimmorley was penalised as he and opposite number Prince battled for the ball like two terriers after a bone and over the next six minutes Prince showed exactly why Queensland selectors need to find a place for him in their 17 for Origin II.
Isaac De Gois and Luke Douglas were left looking at each other as Price drifted across field before sending an inside ball for Mark Minichiello to run over unchallenged and it was 10-8 when the in-form playmaker grubbered for Luke O'Dwyer to score.
David Simmons saved his side from going further behind when he intercepted a pass from Nathan Friend which would have put Campbell over under the posts and he then had claims for a penalty try when pulled out of the play by Jeffrey as he chased a rolling ball into the in goal just before halftime.
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