Cronulla have held on for a 24-18 win over North Queensland in Saturday night's NRL match in Townsville.

The Sharks led 22-6 at halftime courtesy of a four-try blitz before the Cowboys rallied to make a game of it after the break.

The victory consolidated the Sharks' position in the top four, but the Cowboys remain second last on the ladder following their sixth loss from nine matches in 2008.

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