Lambie steers Sharks to victory

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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  • 51.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:54 pm

    Or the Highlanders.

  • 52.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:55 pm

    When does the FA Cup start its got to be better than this rubbish.

  • 53.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:56 pm

    Pee Wee – when your Stompies learn how to earn a 4 try bonus then we can talk, bitterbek.

  • 54.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:56 pm

    @greentea(greentea)-52: piss off then.

  • 55.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:57 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-53:

    why is that, the Sharks will be lucky to score one in this game?

  • 56.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:58 pm

    This Sharks thread is really flying.

    And then Sharks supporters complain about the lack of articles on their team.

    Go figure!

  • 57.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:58 pm

    I have found that green tea is an acquired taste.

  • 58.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:58 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-54:

    Yip I will be, watching the Sharks backline is sending me to sleep.

  • 59.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 17:58 pm

    @Guns(Guns)-35: mind you the sharks backs players are ***** buddy. lambie, mcleod, michallak, viljoen and jpp, mvovo frikin useless hahhahahaa. couldnt frikin do the job under Campese either no excuses here sharks just kak ****.

  • 60.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:00 pm

    @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-59: another bitterbek gerbil.

  • 61.David: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:01 pm

    Looks like the Sharks will be trying to raid the Cheetahs again for next season.
    I wonder what happened to that much boasted about academy.

  • 62.Narutokun: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:02 pm

    Geeeeez I hope the sharks can take the points from the Landers today !!

  • 63.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:03 pm

    But I drink a cup a day.

    Very good for you.

  • 64.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:05 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-60: truth hurts huh? bwahahahahahaha!!!

  • 65.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:05 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-63:

    1 cup not enough.

  • 66.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:06 pm

    @David(David)-61:

    The Sharks academy is located in Bloemfontein.

    You know that, I know that. :D

  • 67.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:06 pm

    @David(David)-61: Vermeulen, Leibenberg?…

  • 68.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:07 pm

    How many then? It’s unpleasant!

  • 69.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:08 pm

    Grant?

    Habana?

    Ja right gerbils.

  • 70.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:09 pm

    @David(David)-61:

    Well one of them is keeping them in the lead despite his coach’s poor tactics…

  • 71.David: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:09 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-67:
    Liebenberg was Griquas.

  • 72.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:10 pm

    Ben Smith more AB caps this year for him, surely Lambis is not an option at 10 for the Bokke.

  • 73.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:11 pm

    Drink it all day, ease off as night approaches.

  • 74.greentea: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:11 pm

    Ok FA Cup time, go Landers.

  • 75.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:12 pm

    1-0

  • 76.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:12 pm

    FFS…
    Sharks backline & defence coach ffffking piiiis pooor!!! They must all go!!!!

  • 77.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:12 pm

    Sharks imploded. Try to Landers.

    Commentators slating the Sharks. Good, they deserve it.

    Sharks need to play WITH the ball, need to be a bit more CREATIVE with it though. They look clueless with the ball.

  • 78.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:13 pm

    @greentea(greentea)-72:

    People forget that Lambie is the current Bok fullback.

    And I for one reckon that that is his best position. Maybe not his preferred position.

  • 79.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:14 pm

    @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-59: Dissagree..
    Whitehead, Bambie, Mvovo, Viljoen, JPP all capable just fking pisssssss poooor coaching..

  • 80.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:14 pm

    Sharks’ hands are terrible. Let them down all season.

    Let them down with the try line begging.

  • 81.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:14 pm

    I dont think they the bees knees either though so ja.. They need a magician backline coach! ;)

  • 82.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:14 pm

    All day. Ugh.

  • 83.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:16 pm

    Suddenly Sharks look awaken. It did not take an hour.

  • 84.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:16 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-41: Been a fooooken terrible last 15months of **** weather in UK, we ment to be going into summer just **** muddy pom weather..

  • 85.kfc: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:17 pm

    sharks should keep it with the forwards, the backs look clueless

  • 86.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:18 pm

    @Guns(Guns)-79: nope lambie is a kak 10, mvovo is lazy, mcleod overrated, viljoen ordinary, whitehead okay, jpp a kak done lazy bum. coaching cant change that.

  • 87.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:19 pm

    Exactly Campo. Sharks need some enthusiasm. Lift the TEMPO!

  • 88.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:21 pm

    Jeez basic skills are lacking, another miss pass which could have been a try. Who is responsible for the Sharks basic drills?

  • 89.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:22 pm

    The Sharks are winning this game without playing any rugby.

  • 90.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:23 pm

    Lol, watch the Sharks try and defend this 5 point lead for the last 20 mins.

  • 91.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:24 pm

    Now what was that about Lambie… Durban wunderkid?

  • 92.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:24 pm

    TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lambie Bambie!!!!!! All sharks poins! Well played Daniels!!

  • 93.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:24 pm

    Spoke too soon, there’s a try to make event the try starved gerbils smile.

  • 94.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:25 pm

    Lambie you legend!

  • 95.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:25 pm

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-91: lambie is a nervy coward a bumbling bafoon. not the only one in that team or in sa like that though.

  • 96.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:26 pm

    Well done Lambie. MOTM.

  • 97.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:27 pm

    Lol Guns!

  • 98.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:27 pm

    @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-86: Jy praat baie KUK!

    Did you not watch the last 2 season! Lambie was one of highest points scorers and scored plenty trys against the likes of WeePee, Bulls etc…

    They need new staff and new coaches period.

  • 99.Guns: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:27 pm

    With the new staff, new coach will come som new blood too.

  • 100.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 18:28 pm

    Time for last cuppa green tea

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