The hosts ran in nine tries to four to ensure they defeated the Sharks for the second time this season, while also securing their first three-game win streak of 2021.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring in the round 10 clash when Tyson Simpson acrobatically put the ball down just inside the right corner post, following quick hands from Chris Browne and Ryan James.

Skipper Matt Carroll converted from the sideline and the visitors led 6-nil after as many minutes.

That lead was short-lived as the hosts hit back within five minutes.

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A shift from left to right involving Cam Vazzoler and Lloyd Thomas put back-rower Jamie Burns into space before the latter stepped inside Carroll and slammed it down despite pressure from winger Callan Sinclair.

Half Vazzoler slotted the conversion and the scoreline was all tied up.

The Gorillas had their first lead of the match in the 18th minute when lock Aaron Henry hit fellow middle-forward Thomas with a short pass close to the line, with the Sharks being unable to prevent him scoring to the right of the uprights.

Vazzoler made it two from two with the boot and the Gorillas led 12-6.

The Gorillas' right-side attack continued to ask questions of the Sharks' defence and in the 29th minute, they had their third - as quick hands from Henry, Darnell Walker and Tyson Brown allowed Liam Vane-Tempest to stroll over untouched.

Vazzoler missed the sidelines conversion, as the Gorillas led by 10.

Just when it appeared the Gorillas were gaining the ascendancy, the visitors scored their second, this time down their left edge.

A cut-out pass by Carroll second-rower Chris Woods (who was one of three Sharks debutants alongside Jayden Dolenc and Kane Stage) juggled the ball and offloaded to centre Matt Forsyth, who did the rest.

Carroll landed another difficult kick in the windy conditions and the scoreline was 16-12.

But in the shadows of half-time, the Sharks, as they did last week, conceded another try - this time through Duke Grant, who charged onto a Lleyton Hughes pass.

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Vazzoler converted just before the siren and the hosts led 22-12 at the break.

The hosts' momentum continued in the second as hard-running five-eighth Tom Harris powered his way across for his first four-pointer in Gorillas' colours.

His half partner landed the kick and the lead was 16.

That scoreline did stand for long, as the Gorillas crossed again soon after.

A crafty Vazzoler grubber kick was spilled by Sharks fullback Jacob Seabrook right into the line of Walker, who touched it down in the in-goal.

Vazzoler again converted and it was 34-12 with just under half an hour to play.

But the Sharks didn't give up and two quick tries from Seabrook and Jye Brooker, which both involved James and Simpson in the lead, had the score back to 34-24 following Carroll's two kicks.

Vazzoler then slotted a penalty goal to make it 36-24 with 18 to play, before any hopes of a Sharks' fightback were put to bed when Walker skipped through for his second.

Vazzoler's conversion and ensuing penalty goal made it 44-24.

The win was iced in the dying moments when rampaging prop Guy Rosewarn barged over next to the sticks.

Vazzoler took his personal tally to 18 points for the afternoon, as the hosts ran out winners by 26 points.

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In the win, Walker, Jake Goody, Hodgson, Harris and Henry were all impressive as James, Simpson, Conor Morrissy, Chapman and Carroll did all they could for the Sharks in the loss.

Next up for the Gorillas, who sit in fourth with a 5-3 record, is a trip to Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday to face Gerringong in a grand final reply.

While the Sharks host the Stingrays on Sunday in the second Shellharbour Showdown of 2021.

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