Sharks deny late comeback bid away from home to end North Queensland's season
The Cronulla Sharks have denied a late comeback bid from the Cowboys in week one of the finals, to set up a blockbuster clash against the Roosters.
Cronulla led 24-18 away from home, with North Queensland given just under 30 seconds to try and send the match into golden point after a late try from Bree Chester.
However, the Sharks held on and are now in a preliminary final, while the Cowboys are done for the season.
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"What an impressive game of footy, finals footy at its absolute best ... a classy performance from the Cronulla Sharks," Allana Ferguson said on Nine.
Georgia Hannaway scores for the Sharks. Getty
The party started when Cronulla winger Cassie Staples crossed over in the third minute to score the opening try, leaving chaos in her wake.
In defence, Cowboys teammates Francesca Goldthorp and Jasmine Peters got tangled up, with both players requiring assistance from trainers.
Fortunately, both stayed on the field after a short delay, and Goldthorp subsequently responded for the Cowboys.
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Makenzie Weale then made it back-to-back tries for her team.
But the Sharks locked up the score at 12-all as Ellie Johnston muscled her way over.
Moments later, Johnston nearly had a second try, but she was held up by four Cowboys defenders.
Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu put on a stunning try-saving tackle to deny Abigail Roache on the line.
Minutes later, Kiria-Ratu scored her first try of the season under the posts to give the Sharks the advantage.
At the break, Cronulla led 18-12.
After half-time, the Sharks suffered a blow when Georgia Hannaway left the field for an HIA.
She returned in the 59th minute and then scored for her side to make it 24-12.
Chester then made it interesting with seconds to go, but it was ultimately the Sharks going into week two of the finals.
