Second-half Shark surge ends Dragons’ dream of a double

Margie McDonald | June 7, 2026

Four rapid-fire tries in the second half have helped Cronulla burst St George Illawarra’s bubble with an important 34-12 win in their NRL clash in Sydney.

The Dragons were trying to keep the magic alive for a second week running after toppling reigning premiers Brisbane last weekend.

But the Sharks unleashed a 15-minute scoring spree at Ocean Protect Stadium on Sunday, starting with a Briton Nikora angled run, followed by a William Kennedy swan-dive under the posts, then sideline speed from wingers Sam Stonestreet and Ronaldo Mulitalo.

It turned a 12-6 halftime deficit for the Sharks into a 16-point lead – and the Sharks weren’t finished.

Another converted try in the final 10 minutes meant 28 unanswered points in the second half would ensure Cronulla remain in the top eight, rising from eighth to sixth.

The Dragons gave it a good shot. Scores were level at 12-12 early in the second half, and the lead changed four times during the match.

But lightning could not strike twice for Dean Young’s Dragons, despite a strong first-half showing.

They were camped inside the Sharks’ 20-metre zone for most of the opening 40, so deserved their two tries to centre Valentine Holmes and winger Matthew Feagai.

The pair of outside backs were also among the try-scorers in last week’s 30-26 Broncos boilover.

By contrast, the Sharks looked a little lacklustre trying to chase three wins on the trot, coughing up nine first-half errors.

But they flipped that script in the second half, led by five-eighth Braydon Trindall and an effervescent Kennedy, who re-signed with the club last week for a ninth season with the Sharks.

Trindall scored a try, landed five goals in the absence of the injured half Nicho Hynes (calf) and kicked 16 times for 524 metres.

This local derby usually brings out the best in these neighbouring clubs.

Each time they meet they play for the Monty Porter Cup in honour of the man who won premierships with the Dragons in the 1950s and 1960s and  was the Sharks’ foundation captain in 1967.

The Dragons had the trophy in their cabinet after a 22-14 win last year, but now it returns to the Shire.

Cronulla will want to keep the momentum flowing when they face the second-placed Warriors in Auckland next Saturday, while the Dragons get to lick their wounds with a bye.