Warriors left wondering what might have been after Cronulla Sharks steal Auckland thriller

The Warriors will spend this week wondering what might have been after a handful of costly moments helped Cronulla escape Auckland with a gritty 10-8 win.

While Braydon Trindall's late two-point field goal sealed the result, it was a controversial shot-clock penalty and a stunning intervention from Sharks fullback Will Kennedy that ultimately proved decisive.

In the lowest-scoring game of the NRL season, the Warriors did enough defensively to win.

They held the Sharks to just one try, absorbed wave after wave of pressure, and stayed in the fight despite missing key forwards Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris.

But a handful of crucial moments told the story.

The first came with a controversial shot-clock penalty that handed Cronulla two points after the Warriors failed to complete a dropout in time.

Referee Gerard Sutton could be heard warning Chanel Harris-Tavita before the buzzer sounded, leaving Warriors players frustrated.

"You said five seconds," Wayde Egan told Sutton.

"That's not my problem. If the buzzer goes and you haven't kicked it, it's a penalty," Sutton replied.

Will Kennedy produced the game-changing play of the match, charging down a Warriors field-goal attempt before gathering the loose ball to help set up Cronulla's winning points. Photo/Photosport/Brett Phibbs

The second turning point arrived in the dying minutes.

With scores locked at 8-8, Warriors playmaker Luke Metcalf attempted a field goal that would have put the home side ahead. Instead, Kennedy produced the play of the night.

Kennedy charged down the kick and then gathered the loose ball in the same movement, a desperate effort that stunned commentators and teammates alike.

"That might be the play of their season," Fox Sport's Michael Ennis said.

Moments later, Trindall stepped up to land a two-point field goal from long range and put the Sharks ahead.

The Warriors still had one last chance after receiving a late penalty but Adam Pompey's kick drifted wide.

Te Maire Martin of the Warriors celebrates his try with the team. Photo/Photosport/Brett Phibbs

For Cronulla, the victory was their fourth straight and strengthened the belief that they can challenge deep into September.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon singled out Kennedy and Trindall for delivering when it mattered most.

"That’s Will for you. He has been turning up everywhere we need for us and I’m really glad for him to have his moment in the sun. Same goes Tricky (Trindall)," Fitzgibbon said after the match.

"It’s a testament to what’s been accumulation of their good performances for them to have those moments. It was awesome."

One of the few positives for the Warriors was another tireless shift from Jackson Ford, who again made a strong case for higher representative honours.

The Blues hopeful ran for more than 100 metres and made 54 tackles, continuing the consistency that has made him one of the club's most reliable performers this season.

"He would be a hell of a treat to have in your side," Jared Waerea-Hargreaves told reporters.

"He’s so reliable, he’s so consistent and a guy like that holds down the middle... you know what you’re going to get from him every week."

The result leaves the Warriors reflecting on a night of fine margins and missed opportunities. For Cronulla, it may be remembered as the moment their season found its spark.

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