Sharks do the business in Bloem
19 May 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched the Sharks record a 34-20 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
While it wasn’t a convincing 80-minute performance, it was an important triumph as the Sharks continue to strengthen their play-off chances after an inconsistent and poor start to the season.
There’s a new look to John Plumtree’s charges compared to the team that disappointed in March and April. Against the Cheetahs, they displayed a more accurate and clinical attack, while their defence showed great resolve. Flyhalf Frederic Michalak was also impressive with the boot, slotting six of seven goal attempts.
Their ill-discipline is a concern and it gave the hosts a platform to reduce a 10-point deficit early in the second stanza, but the Sharks had great composure in the final quarter to grab a fourth try at the death to seal a 14-point win.
It was a closely-contested first half as the lead changed hands four times. The Sharks dominated the forwards battle, which was pivotal in the build-up of two of their three tries in the opening stanza.
The first score came during the opening moments, when the Durban outfit ran 12 phases before JP Pietersen sneaked in at the corner. Bismarck du Plessis was powerful in the build-up, as his carries broke the Cheetahs defence on two occasions.
The Sharks dotted down for a second try after Michalak capitalised on a favourable bounce in the Cheetahs red zone. A penalty tap move, which involved good interplay between forwards and backs, saw the visitors power over on the stroke of half-time.
But they would’ve been disappointed with a 21-14 lead at the break. The Cheetahs scored a soft try via Adriaan Strauss as the Sharks should’ve forced play into touch. Riaan Smit also slotted three penalties.
The Sharks slumped in the third quarter, with Du Plessis receiving a yellow card for a no-arms charge. During his absence, Sias Ebersohn slotted two penalties to cut the Sharks’ advantage. The Cheetahs had a good chance to score their second try, but they were penalised for illegal clearing at the rucks, 5m out from the chalk.
When Du Plessis returned from the sin bin, the Sharks regained the ascendancy and the Cheetahs’ fight faded. After being frustrated on attack for most parts of the final 40, a late rally put Meyer Bosman through out wide – a fine finish to clinch a vital victory.
211 Comments
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20 May 2012, 23:34 pm
What the fark is skopshyte talking now -he conveniently forgets it was the Newlands mob who booed Twatson when he was playing for their own team!…..
Good bonus point win Sharks, I smell a major pop coming soon. Getting the popcorn ready.
21 May 2012, 00:03 am
What absolute drivel this demented skopshyte character can utter! Keo admin, please can you install a “skopshyte ignore” function.
21 May 2012, 02:06 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-182:
He passed it to Whitehead actually who in turn created the overlap for Mvovo, but the break was Daniel’s
Daniel can’t be selected with Brussow at the same line up, but if it was for me I would prefer him at 8, with Albert at 7 and Marcell Coetzee at 6.
(assuming Vermuelen, SB, J Smith are all totalled and no intention to call JvN or Jacques Cronje’)
21 May 2012, 02:28 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-202:
only a lobotomized loser would need an app ‘to ignore’.
Cant app, cant thunk.
21 May 2012, 05:49 am
@PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-204:
Mummy’s calling……………off you go…….she needs a good rodgering……..faaking doos!
21 May 2012, 08:34 am
What is the feeling re the Stormers in Durbs
21 May 2012, 08:41 am
@stew(stew)-206: Stormers to scrap it by 1 point.
21 May 2012, 10:33 am
How do we keep giving such soft tries away? The 2 tries late in first half killed our chances. Either way seems the Sharks are starting to put some performances together. Well played and congrats to their supporters on here…
21 May 2012, 12:23 pm
@Cheetahs27(Cheetahs27)-208: Cheetah thank you very much! your team also played very well, through out the game I was holding my breath! and shame poorSias needs a head doctor, if he had trusted himself that could have been a try! All the best for the games further except for the one in Durbs of course
21 May 2012, 12:28 pm
Yeah,well done to sharkies beating a game cheetahs side in bloem,certainly finding form at the right time.
21 May 2012, 14:38 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-209: No problem. Sias is low on confidence atm but he will be back to his best. His class will show again. Everyone goes through these lows.
And all the best to the Sharks for their games ahead bar the 1 in Durbs vs Cheetahs. lol.
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