Sharks 11 Eels 0
It's difficult to see how the Sharks had lost 13 games on the trot before last night. It's not like they were playing like The Guppies.
They were trying their little hearts out, defending like lions and it's not like they were attacking without endeavour and effort, in spite of the fact they averaged only 12 points per game scored and 27 points scored against before this encounter.
For the first 10 minutes against the Eels, they worried the opposition and nearly scored a soft try to lock Paul Gallen.
While the Sharks looked earnest, the Eels looked not quite the dashing devils of 2009, with only fullback Jarryd Hayne looking like he might still be an electric Eel - and then only occasionally.
The heavy rain didn't make things easy and handling mistakes were more than frequent. However, the Sharks did have Tim Smith, having his first NRL game since walking out on Parramatta back in 2008 citing bipolar disorder.
Since then, he has played for Wigan for a spell and then tried to get into the Brisbane Broncos squad - unsuccessfully - before getting the SOS from the Sharks.
Smith brought some smart passing and kicking to the Sharks but his first game back in the NRL for two years looked in jeopardy when he was welcomed with a horrific (accidental) head clash.
He's made of tough stuff, though, and controlled more of the game than any other playmaker - if that can be said about a 0-0 halftime scoreline, for which the home crowd heartily applauded the Sharks off the field.
However, it was Sharks second rower Grant Millington who made the bust that Trent Barrett turned into a telling pass for winger Blake Ferguson to score early in the second half.
There was blood in the water and the Sharks had the scent of last year's grand finalists.
When Timana Tahu dropped a difficult offload, Sharks centre Ben Pomeroy picked up, put Ferguson away and the lanky winger had only Nathan Hindmarsh between him and the line.
We say "only". Hindmarsh is a tackling machine and a pressure player - but Ferguson fended him off like a butterfly. Smith couldn't convert, but the Sharks were growing teeth and he kicked a penalty soon after.
The Eels clicked into life but Tahu dropped a scoring pass and the Sharks broke out. All they had to do was play possession and position football. They did.
Sharks 11 (B. Ferguson 2 tries; T. Smith goal, drop goal), Eels 0. Halftime: 0-0.
