A late James Roberts try earned the Gold Coast Titans a first win of the new NRL season on a day when the Newcastle Knights also extended their perfect start at the top of the table. 

Roberts intercepted a pass with four minutes remaining and crossed for his second try of the match as the Titans edged the Cronulla Sharks 24-22 on Saturday. 

Defeat was the Sharks' 10th in succession in the NRL and left coach Shane Flanagan to reflect on a crushing setback after the boot of Michael Gordon (10 points) appeared to put the home side on course for victory. 

"That was just heartbreaking," admitted Flanagan.

"The effort was outstanding but that's just not good enough in this competition, you need to play smart as well."

The Knights made it four wins out of four in the early game on Saturday with a 26-14 success over the Penrith Panthers, an 18-point blitz in the opening 19 minutes providing a fantastic platform for the home side. 

Chris Houston, Adam Clydsdale, Kurt Gidley and Akuila Uate all went over for the Knights, who are two points clear of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

St George-Illawarra Dragons made it back-to-back victories by beating Manly Sea Eagles 12-4, Gareth Widdop slotting over three penalties and converted Jason Nightingale's ninth-minute try.