NRL: Sharks chomp Rabbitohs

Matthew Wright of the Sharks scores a try. Photo / Getty Images

Sharks 24
Rabbitohs 4

A resurgent Cronulla brushed aside South Sydney 26-4 at Toyota Stadium, recording a third successive NRL win for the first time in more than two years.

Despite being without talismanic skipper Paul Gallen due to State of Origin commitments and powerhouse prop Kade Snowden, ruled out just before kick-off with a neck injury, the Sharks were too good for a depleted Souths side, missing Queensland star Greg Inglis and the suspended Dave Taylor.

The Sharks dominated the opening half, racing into a 20-0 lead at the break - the first time they have scored 20 or more points in a three successive games since 2008 - in front of a decent crowd of more than 18,000 on a sunny Sydney afternoon.

The opening kick-off was a sign of things to come for Souths when John Sutton ran into team-mate James Roberts as he caught the ball, knocking the young winger into touch just metres from his own tryline.

Although the Sharks could not take advantage of the opportunity, they continued to press and took the lead after 16 minutes when prop Luke Douglas bulldozed his way to the line.

Shane Flanagan's side doubled their lead five minutes later when Colin Best, against his former club, barged his way past Chris Sandow and Dylan Farrell to score after the Parramatta-bound halfback knocked the ball on in front of his posts.

Souths, who started the game one place above the Sharks in 11th spot on the ladder, continued to struggle in attack and their woes were compounded on the stroke of halftime as the home side went over for two converted tries.

Young halfback Chad Townsend showed great composure to dive over from close range before adding the extras and in the final play of the opening stanza, Matthew Wright crossed, following a superb popped pass from Anthony Tupou under pressure from three Souths players.

The Rabbitohs improved in the second half and started well when Rhys Wesser broke clear, only to be thwarted by an ankle-tap from the outstanding Jeremy Smith.

However, from their next set John Lang's side did score when Nathan Merritt went over in the right corner following a powerful break from Shaune Corrigan after Sharks centre Ben Pomeroy dropped the ball in front of the Rabbitohs' line.

It proved to be the only high point of the afternoon for the visitors as Townsend kicked a penalty to stretch his side's lead midway through the second half before Wright scored his second try of the game a minute from time after good work from Nathan Gardner.

The win puts the Sharks just two points behind eighth-placed Penrith as the look to reach the finals for the first time since 2008.

CRONULLA 26 (M Wright 2 C Best L Douglas C Townsend tries C Townsend 3 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 4 (N Merritt try) at Toyota Stadium. Referee: Steve Lyons, Chris James. Crowd: 18,829.

- AAP