CRONULLA maintained an 18-year hoodoo over Manly as David Peachey and Brett Kimmorley combined to sink the Sea Eagles in their bruising NRL clash at Toyota Park tonight.

The last time Manly downed the Sharks at their Cronulla home ground was in 1986, when current Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler and recruitment manager Noel Cleal lined up.

And a masterful display by halfback Kimmorley and fullback Peachey ensured the streak continued by combining for 24 points to crush the spirits of Manly fans yet again.

Kimmorley poured on 16 points and was a constant danger with the ball while Peachey crossed for two tries to finally break the Sharks' winning duck for the 2004 NRL season after two heartbreaking losses.

Manly threatened to crash the party – and finally break their Toyota Park curse – when former Wallaby, fullback Andrew Walker converted his own try in the 67th minute to cut the deficit to 28-20 after Cronulla led 18-8 at halftime.

But the Sharks held on to mark their 35th anniversary of home games at Toyota Park in style.

The Sharks hit the ground running in the second half, with Kimmorley cutting through four would-be defenders to score near the posts in the 42nd minute but missed with a shocking conversion attempt.

A minute later the ball went through at least six pairs of hands before Peachey strolled over near the uprights.

Both sides traded early penalty goals before a clever back flick pass by prop Jason Stevens put Manly on the back foot just 10m out and Peachey scythed through near the posts in the 10th minute.

Just nine minutes later it was 12-2 when Peachey was at it again, stabbing through a grubber which sat up nicely for Ryan McGoldrick to score.

After both Stevens and Manly prop Ian Donnelly were sin-binned for a scuffle, Manly skipper Steve Menzies showed the way when he latched onto an inside pass from centre Albert Torrens and suddenly it was 12-8.

A fiery match looked set to explode in the 32nd minute when Anthony Watmough was placed on report for a high shot on Sharks winger Hassan Saleh, sparking a shoving match between players.

But the Sharks faithful of more than 15,500 were in full voice again just two minutes from the break when McGoldrick charged down a Chad Randall kick and Kimmorley ran 80m to touch down.

MANLY SEA EAGLES 20 (A Walker S Menzies C Hicks tries; Walker 4 goals)

at Toyota Park.

Referee: S Hampstead.

Crowd: 15,558.

TEAM:

1 - Andrew WALKER
2 - Scott DONALD
3 - Albert TORRENS
4 - Paul STEPHENSON
5 - Chris HICKS
6 - Jye MULLANE
7 - Michael MONAGHAN
8 - Daniel HECKENBERG
9 - Chad RANDALL
10- Ian DONNELLY
11- Sam HARRIS
12- Luke WILLIAMSON
13- Steve MENZIES

14- John HOPOATE
16- Anthony WATMOUGH
17- Shane DUNLEY
18 - Kane CLEAL