Lambie steers Sharks to victory
5 May 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched Pat Lambie score all of the Sharks’ points in a scrappy but vital 28-16 win against the Highlanders.
The Sharks scored 13 unanswered points in the period between the 50th and 60th minute. It was during this spell where the match was won, and it was ultimately the cool goal-kicking of Lambie that allowed the hosts to edge clear of a determined but woefully inaccurate Highlanders side.
In difficult kicking conditions, Lambie slotted seven penalties and a conversion. It was a flawless goal-kicking performance and it had to be, as the Highlanders threatened to seize the initiative at various intervals. Had Lambie not converted every opportunity on offer, the Sharks may been made to pay for their inconsistency for the umpteenth time this season.
There was plenty of intent during the early stages, as the Sharks managed to boss the collisions. It was also clear that the Sharks had come into this contest with a more structured game plan in mind. They attempted to drive the Highlanders back into their own territory, and it worked to a degree.
The tactic is sound in theory, but a team needs to execute efficiently and consistently to obtain the desired results. The Sharks overplayed the kicking ploy, and at times their halfbacks were guilty of booting possession away aimlessly. The kick-chase wasn’t up to standard either, and this is something they will need to address if they hope to gain full value from these tactics.
The hosts benefited from a sloppy Highlanders performance in the first half. Lambie punished the visitors for their transgressions at the breakdown, and the Sharks were also fortunate not to concede more points at the other end, as flyhalf Mike Delany missed two relatively simple penalty attempts.
There was an almighty scrap at the breakdown, with both teams guilty of indiscipline early on. The Highlanders recovered after their early lapses, and managed to control the ball better as the first half progressed. It was all the Sharks could do to spoil, and eventually Jacques Botes was yellow-carded after a series of Sharks breakdown infringements.
The visitors failed to hammer home the advantage. They scored just three points while Botes was off the field, and while credit should go to a much improved Sharks defence, the Highlanders attack was just too lateral to be effective.
They gained some reward from playing more direct rugby at the start of the second half, depleting the Sharks’ defensive line before eventually crashing over for a try. It was at this point where the momentum was with the Highlanders, and a conversion by Delany took them to a 16-15 lead.
The Sharks were guilty of a spate of handling errors during this period, the type of frustrating mistakes that have become something of a trademark in 2012. But for all their failings, they maintained their composure, and Lambie booted a difficult penalty to regain the lead.
This proved to be the boost they needed, as from that point onward, they played with far more control and belief.
Charl McLeod fielded a high ball in his own half, and avoided two would-be Highlanders defenders. This proved to be the catalyst for a promising counter-attack, and Keegan Daniel eventually found himself with ball in hand just outside the Highlanders 22.
Daniel looked to have butchered a try-scoring opportunity when he chipped the ball into space, but Hosea Gear obliged with an untimely error and the ball spilled loose behind the Highlanders tryline. Lambie, who had followed in support, dotted the ball down and then kicked the conversion to make the Gear gaffe a seven-point mistake.
The weather turned nasty in the final quarter, but the Sharks held out to not only secure the win, but also deny the Highlanders a losing bonus point.
The result may not have propelled the Sharks into the top six, but their strong finish means that they are now only three log points shy of the Highlanders, who are currently fifth in the overall standings.
291 Comments
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5 May 2012, 15:38 pm
Highlanders by 1+.
5 May 2012, 15:39 pm
Are the Sharks S15 team gonna choke like the Vodacom Cup team lol
5 May 2012, 15:50 pm
C’mon Sharks, time to shut up the bitterbek Stompie fans!
5 May 2012, 16:03 pm
In the last 3 rounds (including this one) no team has beaten another team with more log points at the start of the game, and I can’t see the force doing it either, so it’s up to the Sahrks for the first “upset” in 3 weeks.
5 May 2012, 16:10 pm
COMMON SHARKS SMASH EM!!!
5 May 2012, 16:20 pm
Yes Woody! That’s the spirit. Keep it up! Win this afternoon and the Sharks can change their season around – lose and its bye bye!
5 May 2012, 16:21 pm
WOODEN SPOON @250 ON ANOTHER THREAD.WHAT WERE YOU
DOING IN THE COOK ISLANDS?YOU DONT STRIKE ME AS A
MISSIONARY.
MOER THEM SHARKS.
5 May 2012, 16:23 pm
@ryecatcher(ryecatcher)-7: holiday.
Ja, moer them Sharks!
5 May 2012, 16:28 pm
Highlanders can win this, Sharks are a mid table team at best.
5 May 2012, 16:33 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-3:
bitterbek stormpie fans??
That’s new.
So far I’ve got 4 from 4 this weekend.
And the Sharks by 12 today.
Just hope they don’t stuff up my weekend.
5 May 2012, 16:41 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-10: yes there are a handful of them, see post #2 for one of the worst culprits….. no doubt a few more will pop up on this thread later, especially if the Sharks play poorly at any stage….. watch and wait, wait and see…….
5 May 2012, 16:46 pm
i hear plummo has chummed the energade…
so expecting ruthless rugby from the sharks..!!
go sharks…!
5 May 2012, 16:49 pm
Go Tjarks!
Still my second favourite team despite the wankers on this site.
Definitely a better lineup today although they can only pray Jannie Dup is out
But seriously that guy is terrible.
5 May 2012, 16:50 pm
@ufo(ufo)-12: yeah, plum’s selection is very aggressive today. i predict a try fest by the sharks where they kill off the contest early
5 May 2012, 16:50 pm
What is campese doing in SA?
5 May 2012, 16:53 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-10:
Yeah, hope the Sharks don’t mess up my bru. I did a good job of it myself by mistankenly picking the Lions instead of the Chiefs.
Man, was I angry this morning when I saw what I did.
GO SAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
5 May 2012, 16:54 pm
Trans @ 14
For sure…
Looking forward to watching Paul Jordaan at last… interesting to see how he and whitehead work together…
Lambie to have a blinder…!!
Bagel @ 13
Just showed shots of Jannie, Biz and Beast practicing scrum engage…
5 May 2012, 16:54 pm
Changed channel to watch the footies when the Sharks went 13 points up today only to change back and see the Bulls captain giving a victory speech.
Wtf happened?
Can never write off those Bulletjies…
Oh and more importantly YNWA GO LIVERPOOL!
5 May 2012, 16:54 pm
@Cambridge(Cambridge)-15:
He did marry a saffa.
He developed decent taste late in life.
5 May 2012, 16:57 pm
@nama1(nama1)-16:
Know the feeling. Check. And then double check.
5 May 2012, 17:10 pm
Anybody got a steaming link for the game?
5 May 2012, 17:17 pm
sharks are moering these landers
5 May 2012, 17:18 pm
beast is boring in at scrum time & getting away with it.
5 May 2012, 17:20 pm
Bismark can be a real ****** at times.
5 May 2012, 17:20 pm
r-e-t-a-r-d
5 May 2012, 17:22 pm
Anybody atball with a link? Would love to be able to catch the game!
5 May 2012, 17:28 pm
Somebody please give a link
5 May 2012, 17:28 pm
Walshie taking pity on the guppies
5 May 2012, 17:32 pm
Both teams look clueless – esp the Landers
5 May 2012, 17:32 pm
Thats it Sharks Smash em!!
5 May 2012, 17:33 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-27: would if i could..
looks like this one is being taxed now, need a password or to donate or something.. http://www.kostatz.webs.com/
5 May 2012, 17:34 pm
Watsup Guns!
5 May 2012, 17:35 pm
Not for me, for the poor guy asking!
5 May 2012, 17:38 pm
jordaan’s first touch and its a bos…
5 May 2012, 17:39 pm
Sharks backline coach doing a pisspoor job over last decade…
5 May 2012, 17:40 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-32: Just trying to chill and watch the game hey, had a lekker gym sesh earlier was good to be back as been out the gym most of last two weeks due to being very busy at work. How things on your side Dawnie?
5 May 2012, 17:41 pm
@Guns(Guns)-35: do the Sharks have a back line coach? What does Bashford actually contribute?
5 May 2012, 17:41 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-34:
Second **** touch…
@Guns(Guns)-31:
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/50569/2/highlanders-vs-sharks-live-stream-online.html
5 May 2012, 17:43 pm
Botes koelkas toe
5 May 2012, 17:44 pm
Sharks look extremely pap and uncoached. But worst of all, they don’t look like they want to play.
5 May 2012, 17:46 pm
No worries here, just cape winter and I hate winter!
5 May 2012, 17:48 pm
Why do saffa players pass to a player when there is a defender on top of the receiver?
It does my head in.
5 May 2012, 17:49 pm
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/50569/2/highlanders-vs-sharks-live-stream-online.html
5 May 2012, 17:49 pm
The Sharks backline is nearly as bad as the Bokkes.
5 May 2012, 17:49 pm
Sharks look very directionless, don’t they? Is there a plan?
5 May 2012, 17:50 pm
@greentea(greentea)-44: Nie hau NZINCHINA. How’s China today?
5 May 2012, 17:51 pm
Pretty safe to assume that the Sharks won’t be winning anything again this year.
5 May 2012, 17:51 pm
Half time. Fortuitous and undeserved lead to the Sharks.
Not going to be a 10 try thriller, this one.
5 May 2012, 17:52 pm
What a try fest by the Sharks! HG must be proud! LOL
5 May 2012, 17:53 pm
@the_winger(the_winger)-26:
No you don’t, you really don’t.
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