• RACING SHARKS EDGE LATE THRILLER
THE Sharks won this intriguing Currie Cup match at Newlands 21-20 but for most of the second half it seemed that a combination of Western Province obstinacy on defence and poor finishing by the visitors would mean a home victory.
The Sharks were deserved winners but in a second half played almost entirely in WP territory, they seemed to be doing their best to self-destruct as they squandered opportunity after opportunity, with the score locked on 20-14 to Province until a dramatic try by Inny Radebe in the 75th minute was converted by a composed Rhyno Smith, who nailed the kick from the corner.
Province coach John Dobson will wonder why his team could not get out of their half after having had their fair share of dominance in a very even first half. The home side seemed resigned to defend for the second 40 while the Sharks hammered away and either made elementary errors with the tryline in front of them or were tackled into touch by resolute defenders.
The game started and ended in striking fashion for the Sharks. They were awarded a penalty try less than two minutes into the game and then scored at the death after being behind for most of the game after Province had played with assurance in the second quarter to go 17-7 up.
The teams traded blows in the exciting first half, although the WP set scrum was on top. Both sets of half-backs displayed pin-point accuracy with their kick-and-chase game, but kickers from both teams missed out on points.
The result means the Sharks are looking pretty on the log given that three of their five wins have been on the road. They have beaten WP, the Bulls and the Lions away from home and they have an away fixture coming up against a Cheetahs team that will be depleted as they turn to the Top 16.
The penalty try at the start of the match came when referee Jaco Peyper penalised Province for pulling down a driving maul. Damian Willemse put his team on the scoreboard with a penalty after an excellent counter-attack from deep sparked by Dillyn Leyds and the ever-dangerous centre Huw Jones scored a minute later after another sparkling count-attack from deep in the half.
As the first half progressed, Willemse seemed in control of proceedings and his kicking for territory was pin-point. His team was taking the game by the scruff of the neck after that early setback and there was a spectacular try by Jaco Coetzee when he rampaged through a series of unsuccessful tackles.
As the game hit the half hour mark, the Sharks were eventually rewarded when hooker Franco Marais finished off an attack that came from a strong surge by in-form wing Sbu Nkosi, and a penalty attempt by Radebe as half-time approached slipped past the upright to leave the home side in front at 17-14 at the break.
Early in the second half, Willemse extended the lead when a perfectly timed up and under resulted in Nkosi being caught in possession by Seabelo Senatla and he was penalised for not releasing.
Thereafter, WP went into their shells, hanging on to their 20-14 lead, while the Sharks could not get the ball over the line, either because of a final pass going astray or stout defence. But eventually, something had to give, and Smith’s conversion snatched the spoils for the Sharks. WP – Tries: Huw Jones, Jaco Coetzee. Conversions: Damian Willemse (2). Penalties:willemse (2). Sharks – Tries: Penalty try, Franco Marais, Inny Radebe. Conversions: Radebe, Rhyno Smith.