THE Shellharbour Sharks have secured the Group Seven minor premiership with a 30-12 win over the Gerringong Lions at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.
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The Sharks setup the win with a commanding first half, riding the back of a strong breeze to jump out to a 26-nil half-time lead.
For the Lions, the loss was their second straight and they'll look to bounce back in the final competition round against Nowra-Bomaderry.
It was an ideal start for the visitors, with a drop-out giving them a perfect attacking opportunity in the opening minutes.
A quick shift to the right caught the Lions short and winger Jye Brooker dived over in the corner.
Sam Clune knocked over the conversion and the Sharks led 6-nil.
That lead was soon doubled when Brooker found some space out wide again and hurled the ball back inside to Clune who crossed next to the posts.
The five-eighth failed to convert his own try and the Sharks led 10-nil.
The Sharks continued to pepper the Lions' left edge and they soon had further success.
A second man play put Deejay Harris on the outside of his man and the Sharks' centre had enough pace to cross out wide.
Clune again failed to add the extras and the Sharks led 14-nil.
Harris then soon had a double - this time muscling his way over from dummy-half next to posts.
Nick Greenhalgh took the kicking duties from Clune and the Shellharbour half put his side up 20-nil.
Clune then matched Harris, as he notched a first half double too.
Wayde Atiken made a bust down the left again and found Clune on the inside.
Greenhalgh added another conversion and the Sharks took their 26-nil lead to the break.
It was a stronger start to the second half for the Lions, who managed to open their account 10 minutes into the scend stanza.
Joel Roberts raced away and looked like he would score until some desperate defence held the Gerringong veteran up.
The Lions didn't have to wait much longer though as Alec Brookes managed to cross shortly after.
Jake Taylor slotted the conversion and the score read 26-6.
The home side then made it back-to-back tries in quick succession, when Matt Winchester crossed.
A break by Rixon Russell put the Lions on the attack and Winchester used his trademark dummy to cross on the right fringe.
Taylor added another conversion and the Lions had a sniff at 26-12.
Any thought of a Lions' comeback was put to bed with 12 to go when Brooker grabbed his second with an acrobatic effort.
Harris stood up his man and then found the flying Brooker who dived over just inside the touch line.
Greenhalgh's conversion attempt was waved away and the Sharks held a 30-12 lead that stood till full-time.
Shellharbour now have the bye in the competition's final round, while the Lions travel to the Nowra Showground on Sunday to face the Jets.