The Sharks led by 18 points at half-time, only to fall behind, before forcing a 32-22 victory over Milton-Ulladulla. 

“We defended well, Milton down here are always a tough team,” Shellharbour coach Abed Atallah said of the first half. 

“We started the first half well, but started the second half off pretty badly and let in some soft tried.

“We go challenged, we knew they needed to step up and they did so.”

It’s Shellharbour’s fifth win in a row, as they now have a share of the Group 7 ladder lead with Warilla, who overpowered Stingrays 68-6. 

“We’re not too worried about how many in a row, we’re just worried about improving week to week,” Atallah said. 

“That was maybe a backward step, but we look forward to next week.”

The Sharks now face Gerringong in a Group Seven blockbuster on Sunday at Ron Costello Oval. 

The Lions went down 30-18 to Kiama. 

Kiama led 10-8 at half-time, keeping them in the top five. 

Nowra-Bomaderry d Albion Park-Oak Flats 32-24 after the Eagles were reduced to 12 men in a fiery battle. 

Premiers Jamberoo held off Berry-Shoalhaven Heads 24-22. 

Ladder: Shellharbour, Warilla 10; Kiama, Gerringong 8; Jamberoo, Nowra-Bomaderry, Milton-Ulladulla 6; Albion Park-Oak Flats 4, Berry 2, Stingrays 0.