The Sharks, with too much pace and abundant skill, earned a comfortable bonus point win over a plucky Griqualand West side in their Absa Currie Cup rugby match as they posted a 43-20 victory at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Sharks, who led 24-6 at half-time, scored six tries against two by Griqualand West, whose own determined running in any number of attacking moves was swallowed up by the Sharks defenders.
The men from Kimberley were full value for the entertaining spectacle served up on an afternoon of quality rugby with everyone pulling out all the stops.
In defence there were some really big hits, and on this score the Sharks really earned their spurs as they protected their line on three occasions when a lesser side would have faltered.
Such was the fury of the hard running as the play swung from one side of the field to the other that referee Mark Lawrence must have felt as though he had just run the Comrades Marathon in keeping up.
For every attack launched by the Sharks, the Griquas had a counter-run worthy of the very best in Currie Cup rugby with a try almost from the kick-off and one on the very last blast of the referees whistle.
It took the Sharks less than two minutes to notch their first try and once again it was Stefan Terblanche who outpaced the pack at the left-hand corner, with Rory Kockott kicking the conversion.
Running with sublime skills from deep in their own territory, the Sharks were rampant in the early stages. Over-eagerness in the mauls cost them a succession of penalties as Griquas fought back and flyhalf Conrad Barnard was successful with his first two kicks at goal to reduce the lead to a single point.
While Griquas did manage some decent attacking runs, the difference was in the speed and skills of a youthful Sharks back line — backed by forwards of equal calibre.
It brought the Sharks a second try similar to their first with Adrian Jacobs being the last man across the Griquas line this time around. Kockott again converted, after which he landed his first penalty goal (17-6).
Griquas’ handling when in possession was worthy of reward, but the Sharks held firm.
Griquas, on the other hand, could not defend against the power of prop Beast Mtawarira, who gave the Sharks a third converted try just before the break, which was taken at 24-6 in favour of the home side.
Once again the Sharks defence was on song in twice holding out the Griquas’ fast-peddling pack a metre or so out as they got a decisive rolling maul — and again when win Henno Mentz pulled off a lifesaving tackle on opposite number Baldwin Mcbean.
But in a repeat move down the Griquas right flank, Mentz could not force Mcbean out a second time and Barnard converted the try with a great touchline kick. The match now became something of a frenzied hive of activity as both sides threatened in run with decisive running. Griquas were unlucky when Barnard saw his third penalty attempt strike the outside of an upright.
Then the Sharks made matters safe and it was again Stefan Terblanche who was up to take advantage of a quickly executed tap penalty to secure the bonus-point try.
Four minutes later Adrian Jacobs got his name on the score sheet for a second time with a neat try that was not converted.
Griquas were not content to sit back, and a wonderful midfield break sent substitute Wayne van Heerden over for a runaway try converted by Barnard.
That was not the end. Right on the whistle, lock Steven Sykes got a sixth try for the Sharks with Bradley Barritt slotting the conversion in a thrilling end to a game of high intensity and purpose. — Sapa