Andrew Fifita celebrates a Sharks try. Source: Matt Blyth / Getty Images
IN his remarkable breakout season, Andrew Fifita beat Dragons fullback Jason Nightingale in a photo finish to become the hero of a thrilling southern derby.
Fifita showed his pace to chase a kick and touch down in the final minute to pinch a game the Sharks needed in the quest for a high finals finish.
It was a cruel end for the brave Dragons who dominated from the start.
A simple dropped ball from Sharks prop Sam Tagataese triggered a remarkable start from the Dragons who jumped out to a shock 12-0 lead following a double dose of brilliance from Jason Nightingale.
Standing in for injured fullback Josh Dugan, Nightingale pounced on Tagataese's mistake and raced 80m before scoring under the posts two plays later. He backed that up just two minutes later with a sublime pass that put winger Brett Morris over untouched.
Cronulla needed to steady the ship and not surprisingly it was Todd Carney who took control by producing a second-man play that allowed Ben Pomeroy to score untouched in the 15th minute.
Carney's sideline conversion into a stiff wind reduced the deficit to six points.
The Sharks were denied a try to Paul Gallen by the video referee in the 22nd minute when it was ruled the Cronulla captain had benefited from an illegal obstruction.
The Dragons positioned themselves for a nomination for the most unconventional try of the season, when Morris came up with his second.
Adam Quinlan's pass ricocheted off Beau Ryan, into Charly Runciman's head and into the hands of Morris who happily planted the footy inside the corner post.
The Sharks' shocking completion rate - it was just 50 per cent at halftime - told the story with their inability to build pressure. Not surprisingly the Dragons led 18-6 led at the break.
The Dragons refused to go into their shell after the break and with their tails in the air, they continued to pepper the Sharks.
After defending stoutly, the Sharks took advantage a Dragons error.
It was experienced halfback Jeff Robson who showed some classic footwork close to the line before finding hooker Isaac De Gois in support and he crashing over to bring the gap back to six points with just over 20 minutes left.
CRONULLA 22 (I De Gois A Fifita B Pomeroy B Ryan tries T Carney 3 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18 (B Morris 2 J Nightingale tries C Stanley 3 goals) at WIN Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Luke Phillips. Crowd: 11,853.
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