Sharks finish with a flourish
10 Sep 2011
The Sharks fought back from a 10-point deficit to claim a 33-20 bonus-point win against the Pumas at Kings Park.
The Pumas have gained a reputation this season of pushing the bigger teams close but not having enough firepower to finish the job. It was the same story in Durban on Saturday, as they did well to establish a 17-7 first-half lead before fading away.
The Sharks did not play anywhere near their best, but still managed to score five tries, including three in the second half when they visibly lifted the tempo.
Pumas No 12 Tiaan Marx opened the scoring with a penalty from the halfway line, but it was the Sharks who scored the first try. A Pumas backline move broke down, Keegan Daniel hacked the ball ahead and the visitors were penalised inside their 22 for holding on. Daniel took the quick tap and while he accidentally kicked the ball ahead, he was able to pick it up and give the try-scoring pass to Craig Burden.
The Pumas regained the lead shortly after, when a slick pass put Marius Coetzer into space on halfway. The second rower charged into the Sharks’ 22 and found Marx, who sent Coenie van Wyk away for the try.
The Pumas flyhalf struck again on the half-hour mark when he intercepted a pass from loosehead Dale Chadwick (the Sharks had a three-on-one overlap on the left) and ran 80m to make it 17-7.
That, though, was as good as it got for the Pumas.
Jean Deysel made it a three-point ball game when he claimed possession 15m out, stepped past flanker Jaco Bouwer and sent winger Deon Scholtz flying into touch with a hand-off, before diving over.
Van Wyk kicked a penalty early in the second half but the Sharks began to dominate possession and scored through replacement lock Anton Bresler.
With 15 minutes to go, another Sharks attack saw Jacques Botes pick up a poor pass from Daniel to grab the bonus-point try and the replacement flanker went over again in the 72nd minute to put the result beyond doubt.
By Simon Borchardt
11 Comments
10 Sep 2011, 14:40 pm
GO SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Hope we play better against the Pumas than we done the last time we played them.
Need the 5 points.
10 Sep 2011, 14:44 pm
@Puma(Puma)-1:
Just as a matter of interest, why did you choose your Nic as a Sharks supporter?
10 Sep 2011, 14:50 pm
@David(David)-2: Well I actually chose it to honour the Arg team for playing superb in 2007 world cup. They played good rugby then. Also no-one had that nic here.
Strange as a Shark supporter I know…….hehehe.
10 Sep 2011, 14:52 pm
@Puma(Puma)-3:
I reckon that 3rd place playoff was by far the best display of rugby of the whole 2007 RWC.
10 Sep 2011, 14:57 pm
@David(David)-4: Yes agree. Arg were very good in that world cup.
But we won the cup playing ugly and will take a win any time to losing…lol.
Arg will have to sharpen up for the 4N next year. I think they should be playing SuperRugby to be really competitive in the 3N. Rebels that are always looking for players should look to some of the Arg players. I know they mostly play their rugby in France, but will need to be playing SuperRugby I feel to be up there with the other 3N countries next year.
10 Sep 2011, 14:58 pm
@David(David)-4: Cheers David. Going to watch the Sharks game now.
10 Sep 2011, 14:59 pm
GO SHARKKKKSSSSSSSSS
10 Sep 2011, 15:43 pm
DAMMIT IS Deysel the only oke playing to win FFS!!! Common sharks!!
10 Sep 2011, 16:02 pm
Come on Pumas. Do it for Witbank. Do it for Sabie. Do it for Jock of the Bushveld.
10 Sep 2011, 16:28 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-9:
Of course, doing it for the Lions isn’t a consideration.
10 Sep 2011, 16:39 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-9:
lol If I was not a Shark I would happily support your efforts!!
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.