The Sharks beat the Valke 45-22 in an Absa Currie Cup game at the Bosman Stadium in Brakpan on Friday night but only entertained their travelling supporters in the first half as they scored five tries to the Valke’s one.
Prop Kees Lensing opened the scoring with a try as early as the third minute, which Rory Kockott converted. Two minutes later though the Sharks defence was caught cold as the Valke foraged forward in numbers. Their forwards overpowered the Sharks and Nico Luus scored for the home team.
The visitors then showed their class as they scored three tries without reply. Ryan Kankowski, captain Jacques Botes and fullback Stefan Terblanche all went over to make the score 26-7, ensuring a bonus point. The Valke looked beaten and this with 20 minutes to go.
Sharks flyhalf Bradley Barrit had an excellent game and when a Sharks scrum pressed the Valke back five 5m from the try line, scrumhalf Charl Mcleod panicked and tried to kick clear but Barrit was quick enough to block his attempt and dotted down for the Sharks’ fifth try.
Mcleod made up for his error on the stroke of half-time and scored the try of the game when he cleverly evaded numerous tacklers to dot down to the delight of the home crowd.
The hosts went in to the break 31-12 down.
The Valke started the second half with more determination as they pegged the Sharks back in their half. Mcleod went on a darting run down the blindside and together with Hanno Coetsee they set-up Bertus Swanepoel for a try six minutes after the break.
An Albert Keuris penalty 12 minutes later made the score 31-22 and the bottom-of-the-log Valke looked like upsetting the second-placed Sharks. The game became scrappy as the Valke threw everything at the Sharks, who became frustrated and lost possession cheaply.
With five minutes to go Sharks substitute Monty Dumond dashed through the Valke midfield to score under the poles and converted his solo effort easily. The Valke tired while their more illustrious opponents seemed more intent on getting another try although the game was almost over.
Terblanche went over for his second in the dying seconds of the game after some good work by winger Odwa Ndungane opened up the Valke defence.
The Valke showed great spirit while the Sharks let themselves and their supporters down by playing good rugby in the first half and then going backward in the second. — Sapa