Sharks defence sets up win

Sharks half-back Brett Kimmorley says his team's huge defensive effort in the first half laid the platform for Saturday's 13-6 win over the Broncos.

Without six frontline players, including Justin Hodges, Karmichael Hunt and Darren Lockyer because of Origin duty and injury, Brisbane led 6-0 until minutes before half-time thanks to the spark provided by hooker Michael Ennis.

But the Sharks hit back just before the interval to trail by only two points at the break and Kimmorley says the psychological boost that gave his side provided all the motivation the hosts needed to go on with the job.

"I think they just started really good, they came with a lot of enthusiasm and their defence was pretty good and they rushed and played some good footy early and obviously Mick played pretty direct at us and caused us a bit of problems with it," Kimmorley told Fox Sports.

"It was a bit wet in the first half and they played pretty well. I thought we did excellent to hang in there on our try-line defence and just to go there 6-4 I think it showed a bit of character but also built a bit of game for us."

Kimmorley, who landed his second field goal attempt in the 76th minute to ensure the Sharks would take the two points and their first win at home this year, didn't care if it was an ugly performance and was likewise pleased to pot the kick.

"We won tonight which is good," he said. "It wasn't overly pretty but we did the good things good and we won at home which is good."

"It's good to get the one (field goal) to go over, I think 10 minutes earlier would have made us feel a bit more comfortable but I'd rather shank them and miss by a mile than have the hope that they're going to go over all the time."

"It's good, it's something we work on the off-season because we lost so many close games, to win the close ones the field goals are sometimes the difference."

Ennis meanwhile wasn't too downcast by the result, knowing that the young players who had to step up in the absence of the six frontline stars will have gained valuable experience.

"All the boys tried hard for 80 minutes, not the two points but a pretty good effort by the boys," Ennis said. "We've got some good kids coming though and I thought they did a hell of a job down here tonight."

"For all of them it's their first away trip and I thought they did a great job. It's hard at times, when Cronulla defend the way they did, but full credit to them but it was a disappointing night in the end."