Sharks put Kings to the sword in try fest

THE Sharks gave long-time servants Hugh Reece-Edwards and Grant Bashford a fond farewell with a 10-try 58-13 demolition of the Kings at King’s Park yesterday.

Reece-Edwards and Bashford will not be part of the new structure. Incoming director of rugby Brendan Venter is rumoured to have picked Brad McLeod-Henderson and Sean Everitt as his assistants.

Last night’s match was in contrast to the previous clash in Port Elizabeth, which had been a tense, try-less affair that finished 21-12 in favour of the Sharks.

Maybe it was the inconsequential nature of this encounter, but both teams were in the mood to throw the ball around yesterday.

The Sharks scored three tries in the first 17 minutes in a first half that produced six tries by both teams — four of which went to the home side.

The pick of the lot came from Odwa Ndunage’s creative grubber — a neat stab that turned the Kings defence and which he chased well enough to dot down first.

The Kings fell apart in the second half and gave away tries to anyone who had the ball close to their line.

Even prop Beast Mtawarira produced a winger-like solo effort, breaking a tackle and dancing past another defender to score in the 49th minute, which put the result beyond doubt.

There was no evidence of the Kings’ rated defence, which will need to be sent to panel beaters before they face the Lions in their Super 15 relegation/promotion fixtures in two weeks’ time. — Sbu Mjikeliso