Sharks grab derby spoils
The Sharks held on despite a late fightback from the Lions to earn a tense 32-28 success in their South African derby in Johannesburg.
Last Updated: 17/04/10 6:47pm
The Sharks held on despite a late fightback from the Lions to earn a tense 32-28 success in their South African derby in Johannesburg.
The Sharks kept alive their slim Super 14 play-off hopes thanks to a fast start, which saw them score three tries inside the opening 23 minutes through Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane and Bismarck du Plessis.
Scores from Michael Killian and Franco van der Merwe added to the boot of Herkie Kruger kept Dick Muir's side in the frame, but a Jacques Botes effort early in the second half proved decisive.
It helped the Durban side secure the bonus-point win they needed to move up to ninth place with 21 points - still nine off the play-off spots.
It looked like it was going to be an easy night at the start, despite the Lions going in front when Kruger slotted over an easy three points after Jean Deysel failed to release in the tackle.
Short lead
The lead lasted less than two minutes as the home side continued with their recent trend of conceding quick tries - JP Pietersen, Andy Goode and Stefan Terblanche all combining with quick hands in centre field to send Lambie away down the right to score.
Ruan Pienaar added the conversion, but the hosts were given the chance to hit back as Goode conceded a silly penalty, and Kruger's kick brought the gap back to one point.
However, the former England fly-half made amends with a fine long pass that allowed Ndungane plenty of time to touch down easily on the right.
Pienaar missed the conversion this time and also fluffed a penalty chance on the 20-minute mark, but then slotted over his third chance - a conversion which came with the Sharks' third try.
It was scored by Du Plessis, who received a pop-up pass by his captain John Smit after several phases just metres short of the Lions line.
The home crowd finally had tries of their own to cheer, two of which came in the space of 120 seconds.
Pace
First Killian showed extraordinary pace in the 32nd minute, running more than 50 metres after the visitors lost the ball in attack, to score under the posts.
That was followed by a Jano Vermaak break helping set up Van der Merwe to score - Kruger putting over just one of the conversions as he missed out on giving his side the lead.
Pienaar's penalty on the stroke of half-time extended the gap to four at the break.
Botes grabbed the bonus-point try within five minutes of the restart - the Sharks flanker finding himself in acres of space on the left to run in easily.
Pienaar put further daylight between the two sides with the conversion. The visiting utility back then exchanged kicks with Kruger to leave the gap at eight with 20 minutes to play.
Just as it looked like the Durban side had wrapped up the win, another converted try, this time by Derick Minnie, set up a tense finish. But the Sharks held on for a crucial win with four rounds remaining.
