Cronulla Sharks walk away with the two points after defeating the Rabbitohs 20-6 at Shark Park in a match that was there to be won by both sides.
For Cronulla it was a crucial result, having won just two of their previous eight matches heading into the clash. While they weren't perfect, the two points ensured the Sharks remain inside the top four and ahead of a chasing pack.
As for the Rabbitohs, they entered the match with a golden opportunity to climb up the ladder and keep their finals hopes alive after losses by the Broncos, Dolphins and Warriors earlier in the weekend.
The defeat is another blow to their top-eight chances and they now sit six points outside the eight in 15th place.
The added motivation saw South Sydney desperate to start well and fullback Jye Gray ensured they hit the front early with a try in the 6th minute. Cronulla hit back through a Sione Katoa try before the match entered a tense arm wrestle.
Both sides generated attacking opportunities, however untimely errors proved costly in their efforts to break the deadlock.
Eventually the Rabbitohs hit the front late in the half through a penalty goal to head to the sheds leading 6-4.
Cronulla winger Sam Stonestreet had been denied twice by the bunker in the opening 40, but he was not going to be denied a third time and crossed in the corner to put his side up shortly after the break. The youngster was forced off for an HIA midway through the second half, but the Sharks did not skip a beat, with Sifa Talakai slotting into the left edge and laying the platform for a Trindall try.
The four-pointer put the hosts up 14-6 and they didn't look back, Kayal Iro sealing the win with a 65th-minute try.
• Cronulla winger Sione Katoa has now scored seven tries in six games against the Rabbitohs
• Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes was placed on report in the 7th minute. Winger Sam Stonestreet was put on report for a dangerous tackle on Jye Gray early in the second half.
• South Sydney's Taane Milne was placed on report for a high tackle in the 65th minute.
• The win ensured the Sharks claimed home and away victories against the Rabbitohs for the first time since 2008.
• South Sydney have now won just two of their past ten games at PointsBet Stadium.
