Cronulla have kept pace with the NRL’s top four, holding on for a 26-10 win over South Sydney at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Without NSW State of Origin utility Jack Bird, the Sharks appeared in control of the match with a 14-6 halftime lead, before the Rabbitohs rebounded to cut the margin to two and stayed in touch for most of the second half.

Ultimately, when five-eighth James Maloney grubbered for the posts with 10 minutes to go and Chad Townsend scooped the ball up to find Gerard Beale, the Sharks were safe.

Maloney was the Sharks’ best, after he laid on the opening try for Wade Graham on the left edge in the fourth minute.

The No.6 also helped put the icing on the cake for Cronulla in Luke Lewis’ 300th game, after he kicked for Ricky Leutele to score with three minutes to play.

The result realistically ended any remote hopes South Sydney had of making the finals, as they sank to their 12th loss of the season.

Making matters worse, captain Sam Burgess walked off with an apparent rib injury from a heavy Matt Prior tackle in the dying minutes.

After being flogged last week by Gold Coast, the defending premiers’ attack appeared back on track in the opening stages as hooker Fa’amanu Brown made it two tries in 22 minutes.

Halfback Townsend kicked superbly, while James Segeyaro sparked the Sharks through the middle in his second game back from a broken arm.

It moved the Sharks provisionally into fourth spot on the ladder, ahead of Manly’s clash on Sunday with St George Illawarra.

Souths’ only early joy came in the 10th minute when Braidon Burns ran onto an Adam Reynolds grubber to score, before John Sutton put them back in the match in the 53rd minute after barging through four defenders.