The New Zealand Warriors protected their National Rugby League (NRL) top eight status against Cronulla tonight, ending a two-match losing streak with a comprehensive 37-10 victory at Toyota Stadium.
The Sharks slumped to their sixth successive defeat - and third under new head coach Shane Flanagan - but were again
left to rue a crucial refereeing call that went against them while the resurgent Warriors stay eighth on with four rounds remaining.
Cronulla was denied a possible victory against the Wests Tigers last weekend when a try was incorrectly ruled out - tonight the Warriors third -- and decisive -- four-pointer also appeared dubious.
Giant wing Manu Vatuvei seemed to palm a Brett Seymour bomb forward before Joel Moon forced the ball, but after viewing the replay multiple times video referee Chris Ward awarded the try, infuriating a meagre crowd of 7510.
The ruling appeared to demoralise the Sharks who swiftly conceded two tries to Bill Tupou - either side of the wing being dazed when hit on the head by the ball as he fluffed fielding a high kick.
Tupou preyed on Luke Covell's flank five minutes after Moon was rewarded for an impressive return to first grade and zeroed in on that area again to ease his embarrassment after that comical header.
He completed his hattrick when intercepting a loose pass and strolling over with six minutes remaining.
Moon's contentious score gave the Warriors a 20-6 buffer in the 47th minute while Tupou's brace ensured the match was essentially over with a quarter remaining.
Centre Brent Tate had opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he showed greater urgency when following a James Maloney grubber to the in goal, forcing the ball between Scott Porter and Ben Pomeroy as the Sharks duo hoped the ball would go dead.
Maloney added the extras, and ultimately missed just one of seven attempts. His 77th-minute field goal completed the round 22 rout.
The Sharks replied to the Warriors opener when fullback Nathan Stapleton - who was only denied a 12th minute try by an excellent covering tackle by counterpart Lance Hohaia - jinked past two defenders before setting captain Trent Barrett free on a 35-metre surge to the line.
Stapleton evaded Seymour and Moon before haring over halfway to draw Hohaia and give Barrett rare clear air in the 24th minute.
Maloney added the Warriors second eight minutes before the break when took a neat inside ball from interchange hooker Aaron Heremaia, who scooted past two defenders on an angle run out of dummy half before finding his five-eighth looming in support 10-metres out.
Maloney booted the conversion from in front of the posts and added another two points after the halftime hooter when Covell was penalised for a high tackle on Moon, who made a dangerous surge after Barrett's chip kick was blocked and retrieved by Seymour.
The halfback set Moon, playing his first game since the loss to Penrith on July 11, with a classy flick pass to ease pressure after the Sharks were looking threatening.
The victory atones for back-to-back losses to South Sydney and the Gold Coast Titans and also improves their negative points differential to -2.
In another encouraging development Kiwis prop Sam Rapira made a sound return from a knee injury.
The Warriors next play the Newcastle Knights at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
NZ WARRIORS 37 (B Tupou 3 J Maloney J Moon B Tate tries J Maloney 6 goals J Maloney field goal) bt CRONULLA 10 P (Aiton T Barrett tries L Covell goal) at Toyota Stadium. Referee: Chris James, Steve Lyons. Crowd: 7,510.
- NZPA
Lewis Brown of the Warriors is tackled by the Sharks defence. Photo / Getty Images
The New Zealand Warriors protected their National Rugby League (NRL) top eight status against Cronulla tonight, ending a two-match losing streak with a comprehensive 37-10 victory at Toyota Stadium.
The Sharks slumped to their sixth successive defeat - and third under new head coach Shane Flanagan - but were again
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