It was mission accomplished for the Natal Sharks at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday when they claimed the maximum five points from Griqualand West in their Absa Currie Cup rugby encounter.
The Sharks eventually scored four tries to one in a 29-10 victory after leading 10-3 at the break.
But as convincing as the score line was, the Sharks really had to battle, especially in a humdrum first half when too many fancy moves simply saw them advancing sideways rather than in a menacing fashion.
Clearly the Natalians still have to regain the poise of their earlier matches, when they enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten run, if they hope to secure a coveted semifinal spot next month.
As it was, the Sharks — stung by the criticism levelled at them after losing to the Cheetahs and the Stormers — showed grim determination and Griquas paid an early price when scrumhalf Craig Davidson squirmed over for an opening try inside five minutes.
Fullback Percy Montgomery added the conversion points.
But then it all became humdrum stuff.
After a great drop goal from 45m by Griquas flyhalf Quintin van Tonder, the Sharks found the form to score three quick tries.
The best of all came from Henno Mentz, who added another later, as the Sharks forwards, backed by their free-running threequarters, pushed the ball up the left-hand channel and then re-routed it down the line — the mercurial Brent Russell at flyhalf providing the momentum — before it reached the left wing.
John Smit, the Springbok and Natal hooker who twice in rapid succession missed his jumpers in the line-outs, made amends with a typical bulldozing run for a well-deserved try, with Montgomery adding a couple of penalty and conversion points.
Finally the Griquas got some reward for their hard work, notably in the setpieces where the Sharks pack was dominant, by securing a scrambled forward try by lock Johan Ackerman, converted by Van Tonder.
The Griquas backs tried valiantly to break the shackles, but on this occasion the Sharks defence believed that charity began and stayed at the Absa Stadium. — Sapa