A resilient New Zealand Warriors have won back-to-back NRL games for the first time in 2021, completing an 18-16 win over Cronulla.
It wasn't easy, with the Kiwi club playing more than 20 minutes with 12 men thanks to three sin-bins.
The main culprit - aggressive forward Kane Evans, was binned twice - late in both halves, while Chanel Harris-Tavita spent the final play of the game off the field for a professional foul.
But aside from those few moments of ill-discipline, it was a polished performance from the Warriors, with captain Addin Fonua-Blake the standout, running for 227 metres and creating several attacking opportunities with his offload game.
Back-row forward Josh Curran was also impressive, providing the final pass for a vital try midway through the second half.
And it was the Warriors who started brightest, with Dalin Watene-Zelezniak mesmerising his opposite, Ronaldo Mulitalo to score the opening try.
What followed was a 25-minute arm-wrestle, with both sides completing at more than 90 percent.
The Sharks struck back with a 29th minute try to William Kennedy, before the turning point of the game saw Evans sent to the sideline for 10 minutes.
The former Parramatta Eels enforcer lost the ball in a four-man tackle, then received a verbal spray from Sharks centre Will Chambers. Evans lashed out with two punches and on review, was sent to the sin-bin.
The Sharks added two tries in the final three minutes of the half, to break the game open and take a 16-6 lead into the sheds.
But the Warriors recovered well and by the time Curran put Reece Walsh over, Nathan Brown's side were dominating through their big men, Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge.
Euan Aitken bumped off two defenders to score the leveler with 15 minutes left on the clock, before Evans was marched a second time for a head slam tackle.
But Walsh and Pita Hiku combined to get the Warriors on the front foot, resulting in a kickable penalty 30 metres out.
Walsh took his time and slotted the goal to give the Warriors a two-point lead.
A few tense moments followed, with the Sharks turning down an easy two points to push for a try, but the Warriors held firm to secure a vital two points.
It means the Kiwi club can still make the playoffs - but they will need to win their final five games and hope a few results fall their way.
The New Zealand club sits 12th, on 16 competition points - four points back from the eighth-placed Newcastle Knights.
Warriors 18 Sharks 16
Warriors - Watene-Zelezniak, Walsh, Aitken tries; Walsh 2 conversion, penalty
Sharks - Tracey, Kennedy & Nikora tries; Trindall 2 conversions
