THE Shellharbour Sharks strung their fourth straight win together on Sunday, when they edged out the Kiama Knights 12-6, in a replay of last year's grand final.
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It only took the hosts at Ron Costello Oval 90 seconds to open the scoring, after referee Paul Lees matched the Sharks downfield.
On the ensuing set, none of the markers picked up hooker Kiran Tranter, who dived over untouched.
Matt Carroll converted for 6-nil.
In wet conditions, chances were hard to come by and it took more than 20 minutes for the next opportunity to present itself.
In the 25th minute, Kiama went close to equalising but Cam Vazzoler was adjudged to have made a double movement in an attempt to score.
Five minutes later, the Knights were again denied, this time when skipper Kieran Poole was held up.
Despite this pressure, it was the hosts who extended their lead just before half-time, when powerful centre Donte Efaraimo barged over from dummy-half - in a similar vein to the first.
Carroll converted again converted for 12-nil at the break.
The Knights bombed two early chances in the second half through Dylan Morris and Tom Angel before Jack Kavanagh was sin-binned for an infringement in the play the ball in the 58th minute.
Two minutes later, the Knights finally broke through, when a Tom Atkins short ball put Angel over.
Vazzoler converted for 12-6, with just under 20 minutes to play.
Despite chances from both sides, neither team could trouble the scorers anymore and the match ended 12-6.
In the six-point win, the reigning premiers were led by Jayden Morgan, in his first game for the club, Efaraimo, Kavanagh and Dane Sablowski, while the Knights were led by Angel, Luke Chalker, Vazzoler and Atkins.