Match Details
Match Date	26th Jul, 2015
Opponent	Cronulla
Result	Loss 16-18
Coach	Des Hasler
Captain	James Graham
Venue	Belmore Sports Ground
Crowd	19,005
Referee	Gerard Sutton David Munro

Cronulla overcame the uncertainty surrounding Andrew Fifita’s future by entrenching themselves in the top eight with a gutsy 18-16 win against Canterbury at Belmore.

Cronulla refused to stand down Andrew or twin brother David after allegations the pair abused match officials at an A-Grade game in Penrith on Saturday. David did not play after being injured in Canterbury’s final training session.

While the Roosters, Brisbane and South Sydney stamped their class during the round, both Cronulla and Canterbury showed they are well behind the top teams. Errors and penalties contributed to a stifled game in front of 19,005 at Belmore Oval. The victory means Cronulla leapfrogs the Bulldogs and the Warriors to go sixth.

Josh Reynolds was put on report for a high shot on Valentine Holmes as the Sharks winger attempted a field goal late in the game.

After getting through his first touch in Cronulla’s opening set, Fifita’s performance quickly went downhill. Within the first seven minutes he was penalised twice and gave up possession trying to play the ball with his second run.

He was jeered by the Bulldogs faithful – the club who backflipped on signing him to a long-term contract from this season – when his unbroken 30 minutes ended. Fifita responded by blowing the crowd a kiss. He returned midway through the second half with a much more measured performance.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said the off-field incident may have played on Fifita’s mind.

‘‘His performance was indifferent,’’ Flanagan said. ‘‘He had a bit on his mind. It’s a difficult one. We need all the information, we haven’t got all that information yet. We’ll deal with it as a club and be really strong and be as quick as we can. We all know where Andrew has been. We aren’t making excuses here. The right people are in control of it.’’

It was a happy homecoming for Michael Ennis who laid on two tries against his former club.

The win came at a cost for the Sharks with Luke Lewis (knee) expected to miss at least a fortnight.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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