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SYDNEY - Cronulla withstood a furious fightback by a 12-man St George Illawarra to run out 20-16 winners in a fiery National Rugby League (NRL) local derby at Oki Jubilee Stadium on Monday.
The Dragons played the majority of the second half a man down after prop Adam
Peek was sent off for a late high shot on Adam Dykes, helping the Sharks to claim their second win of the season over their southern Sydney neighbours in an entertaining contest.
The Sharks were led brilliantly by Paul Gallen, who was in the thick of everything as he spent time at five-eighth and in the backrow.
Both sides scored three tries with Luke Covell's four goals proving the difference as Cronulla surged into fifth spot on the ladder.
In a willing game littered with plenty of big hits, the incident which led to Peek's 48th minute dismissal seemed relatively innocuous as the big front rower clipped Dykes with an elbow to the head after a kick from the Sharks playmaker.
Referee Tony Archer deemed the cheap shot late and intentional, and showed little hesitation in marching Peek.
From the penalty, Luke Covell potted the simple attempt at goal to put the Sharks up 20-10.
The Dragons responded in a manner which would have pleased coach Nathan Brown with Ben Ellis darting over from dummy half to leave the home side trailing 20-16 after 52 minutes.
From the restart Gallen was put on report for a high shot on opposite number Ben Creagh.
The Sharks lock then gave the Dragons a taste of their own medicine when he earned his side a penalty when he stayed down following a Richie Williams high tackle.
Despite being a man down it was the Dragons who piled on the pressure but they were unable to land the killer blow.
They got close several times, none more so than eight minutes from time when Chase Stanley reeled in a Williams chip only for the Dragons winger to be denied as Misi Taulapapa unknowingly knocked the ball out with his shoulder.
The Dragons jumped out of the gates with two tries in the opening 12 minutes to take a 10-0 lead, Jamie Soward grubbers leading to both four pointers.
Both had more than a touch of luck about them as first Williams - in his first game back in the top grade following his controversial pre-match outburst at Sydney Roosters star Braith Anasta - and then Ben Creagh benefited from kicks which had rebounded off Sharks defenders.
The Sharks hit back when Gallen took advantage of a short blind side to send Mitch Brown over before Reece Williams produced the first of two magic offloads to set up fullback David Simmons who gave the visitors a 12-10 halftime lead.
Williams was again the provider just after the break when he passed for Covell to score, the vocal 12,455-strong home left irate with replays indicating the pass may have been forward.
Cronulla 20 (M Brown L Covell D Simmons tries, L Covell 4 goals) bt St George Illawarra 16 (B Creagh B Ellis R Williams tries J Soward 2 goals) at Oki Jubilee Stadium. Referee: T Archer. Crowd: 12,455.
- AAP