Cronulla Sharks have ensured North Queensland Cowboys' miserable start to the NRL season has continued with a 44-6 demolition at Shark Park on Thursday.
Half Nicho Hynes was at his brilliant best, while Kiwis wing Ronaldo Mulitalo ran in a double to take his try tally at home to 19 in 18 games in the seven tries-to-one drubbing.
The result sees the Sharks move into second place on the NRL ladder, while the Cowboys drop to 15th.
The Sharks exploded off the blocks, scoring in the opening three minutes thanks to some Hynes brilliance, putting Siosifa Talaki through a gaping hole at close range.
Tries to Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa saw the Sharks' lead balloon to 20-0 in the 27th minute, essentially putting the contest to bed.
Mulitalo cashed in on some slick build-up play for two tries to open the Sharks' second-half account, as the Cowboys couldn't add to Kyle Feldt's first-half score.
The Cowboys move on to face Sydney Roosters in Magic Round next week, while the Sharks play Redcliffe Dolphins.
Cronulla Sharks 44 (Mulitalo 2, Talakai, Ramien, Katoa, Wilton tries, Hynes 6 cons, 2 pens) North Queensland Cowboys 6 (Feldt try, Holmes con)
