If the Warriors' season was not already over, it surely is now.
Stephen Kearney's side was made to pay for another scrappy attacking display as they slumped to their fourth-straight defeat with a 26-12 loss to the Sharks at Mt Smart. Just like the previous week against the Cowboys, the Auckland club kept themselves in the game with a staunch defensive effort. However, they continually let  Cronulla off the hook with a lack of execution in the red zone.Â
After an impressive return to first grade against the Cowboys, it was a particularly tough night for halfback Mason Lino, who made several errors including one that led directly to a try in the first half. But he was not alone, as  playmakers Kieran Foran and Issac Luke were both guilty of sloppy mistakes or poor options at crucial times.Â
Missing representative duo James Maloney and Jack Bird, this was not a vintage display by the  premiers. But they had enough class across the board to consolidate their place in the top four. The Warriors, meanwhile, may still have a mathematical chance to reach the top eight, provided they run the table and a host of other results fall their way. But the reality is they have not come close to producing the consistency required for such a winning streak. They have not beaten a top-eight team since round 12 against a depleted Broncos outfit.
The Warriors were on the backfoot early as poor discipline allowed the Sharks to apply all the pressure in the opening 15 minutes, although they only had a Kurt Capewell try to show for it.
Up against one of the best forward packs in the competition, they were always going to need help from their back five to get them on the front foot and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and David Fusitu'a were brilliant in that department.
On the back of their powerful kick returns, the Warriors did well to wrestle back the momentum and had  enough chances to take the lead only to come unstuck with a wayward pass or poor kick. The try they did score came against the run of play when Solomone Kata snatched a 60m intercept.Â
However, all that good work was undone in the next set when Lino spilled the ball 30m out from his line for Fa'amanu Brown to race away eight minutes from halftime.
Lino bounced back early in the second half and helped get the Warriors back into the contest.
Having forced a repeat set with a pinpoint grubber, he then showed an equally deft touch with his hands to put Bodene Thompson over with a perfect short ball.
Both teams were hit with injuries heading into the final quarter. Bodene Thompson left the field with a suspected shoulder injury. Brown was carried off shortly after due to a  head knock, which resulted in Sam Lisone being placed on report for leading with a knee.
That penalty put the Sharks deep into Warriors' territory and while the home team managed to hold out one set, Sosaia Feki was on the receiving end of a slick backline move down the left edge to restore their eight-point lead.
Jayson Bukuya  sealed the result with eight minutes to go.