The Gold Coast Titans ended the Sharks dream start to the 2008 NRL season with a comfortable 18-4 victory at Skilled Park on Saturday evening.
Cronulla's recent wave of success came crashing down after the Titans piled on 18 unanswered points in the second 40.
In a contest where neither side really hit their straps the Titans were able to fight back from a 4-0 half-time deficit and take advantage of superior possession and ideal field position to grab a gutsy two points.
Titans coach John Cartwright said he was glad with his side's improvement from last week's away loss to the Dragons.
"That game for me wasn't so disappointing... tonight we knew Cronulla were going to come here and play a spoiling style of game," he told Fox Sports.
"So as far being gritty, it was probably one of our best performances."
"We created a couple of really good try scoring opportunities but let ourselves down with the last pass.
"At half-time we spoke about that, being patient and building pressure... it's not often a plan works but it did tonight."
The first half was largely uneventful with the Sharks shrugging off a meagre share of possession to gain the ascendancy after 23 minutes when a nicely timed second man play found an angled run by David Simmons who touched down for four points.
But they were Cronulla's only points of the match as the Titans came back from oranges with a slicker attacking structure and disciplined defence despite losing workhorse Anthony Laffranchi after a nasty head clash.
Mat Rogers triggered the second-half resurgence immediately after the restart when his grubber was deflected away from Sharks full-back Brett Kearney allowing Rogers to regather and score.
Less than 10 minutes later, seemingly from nowhere Cronulla's goal-line defence opened up like the Red Sea for Brad Meyers who dragged his way over the line to hand the hosts the lead at 10-6 after the successful conversion.
The Sharks had their fair share of possession soon after with repeat sets in the Titans defensive third, but failed to come away with any points as the gritty Gold Coast proved too stubborn on their own line.
The match was well and truly wrapped up with five minutes remaining when the Titans worked a simple overlap on the right side for winger Jordan Atkins to grab his fifth try in two matches at the new Robina fortress.
Titans: 18 (M Rogers, B Meyers, J Atkins tries; S Prince 2 conversions; Prince penalty)
Sharks: 4 (D Simmons try)
Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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