The Sydney Roosters rediscovered just enough of their try-scoring prowess to overcome Cronulla 19-12 in an error-riddled NRL clash at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.

Entering the game without scoring a point in their last three halves of football, the Roosters put an end to a three-game losing streak.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored a double but the real game-breaker was Nate Myles, the burly prop doing his best halfback impersonation as he grubbered for Sam Perrett to score on 53 minutes for an 18-6 lead.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen burrowed through three defenders with eight minutes remaining but the home side's last hurrah was knocked back by video referee Russell Smith who ruled the Roosters' defence was obstructed as Bronx Goodwin touched down.

Roosters skipper Braith Anasta finally sealed the result with a late field goal, the loss leaving Cronulla rooted to the foot of the ladder following a seventh straight loss.

The Sharks received a pre-game boost when five-eighth Trent Barrett recovered from a back injury that had him ruled out on Friday, but the positive vibe failed to reach the field with the home side blowing two try-scoring opportunities in the opening six minutes.

There appeared no stopping them on their next foray but Kenny-Dowall intercepted and took the ball back 80 metres, saving a certain try.

It was merely a taste of what was to come with Kenny-Dowall scoring his first try when he finished off some slick hands in the backline for the Roosters' first points in 143 minutes of football.

Obviously enjoying the feeling, Kenny-Dowall was in again five minutes later when the former Kiwi Test winger chased down a clever Braith Anasta chip.

There were brief concerns for Barrett when he was temporarily knocked out by a legal hit from former Illawarra Steelers teammate Craig Fitzgibbon, Sharks fans breathing a sigh of relief when their chief playmaker rejoined the action.

Their concerns further abated on the next set when a Brett Seymour grubber hit the post and popped up beautifully for Reece Williams to score.

With the southerly at their backs the Sharks knew they needed more points in the opening term, and they rushed to form a scrum with 30 seconds remaining when the Roosters fumbled on their own goalline.

Unfortunately for the Sharks what happened next summed up their season - the deep set backline failing to get their hands on the ball after Gallen knocked on at the back of the scrum.

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