South Section log-leaders Sharks XV defeated Western Province 23-16 in a Vodacom Cup match in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday.
SAPA reports that the Sharks led 16-9 at the break. The home side were fired by an inspirational display from their captain and scrumhalf Charl Mcleod who scored the match winning try in the second half.
Substitute Guy Cronje added the conversion but it was enough to deny WP a chance to claim a bonus point for losing the match by seven or less points.
This victory allowed the Sharks to retain their unbeaten record after four matches and now head the South Section log with 17 points. The result also marked Western Province’s first defeat after three outings and will retain their mid-table position with 10 points.
Scorers:
Sharks XV: Tries: Nick Claasen and Charl McLeod. Conversions: Len Olivier and Guy Cronje. Penalties: Len Olivier (3)
Western Province: Try: Pieter Louw. Conversion: Coenie van Wyk. Penalties: Joe Pietersen (2). Drop goal: Pietersen.
Teams
Sharks XV: Chris Jordaan; Carl Bezuidenhout, Ian Adendorff, Andrew Borgen, Lwazi Mvovo; Len Olivier, Charl McLeod (captain); Warren Whiteley, Michael Rhodes, Nick Claasen, Nolan Clarke, Jandre Marais, Wiehahn Herbst, Craig Burden and Barra Mthethwa.
Replacements: Frik Venter, Sabelo Nhlapo, Lusaseni Luvuyiso, Nqebeku Zulu, Neil de Bruin, Guy Cronje and Danie Dames.
Western Province: Hayden Groepes; Wylie Human, PJ Vermeulen, Paul Bosch, Terry Jacobs; Joe Pietersen, Conrad Hoffmann; Jody Burch, Pieter Louw, Pieter Myburgh, George Earle, Martin Muller, Andre Schlechter, Hanyani Shimange (captain) and Michael De Neuilly-Rice.
Replacements: Pieter Wium, Eric Coetzee, De Kock Steenkamp, Yaya Hartzenberg, Charlie King, Coenie van Wyk and Juan de Jong.
Tweet
WP do get a bonuspoint. They lost by 7.
GO Sharks XV! What a team!
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 1) : True
i was at the game and wp never looked like winning- they were dominated in the set scrums – great defence and fewer mistakes from sharks xv won the game
@mc (Comment 4) :
You a Empangeni boy?
I am trying to picture where the Stadium is. reffed there back in 1999 / 2000.
I can picture the Stadium with lots of trees around the carpark, but can’t picture the location in my mind.
no from durbs nolan clark is my son so i travel to watch games whenever i can , but been there many times to watch club games over the years – yes lots of trees ,on right hand side as you come into town via rd from r bay – down hill into the dip – near the swimming pool and adjacent to the golf course
@mc (Comment 6) :
Ah!!!!!!!! Okay thanks, now I know.
Well done Sharks XV….pity uou are not getting more coverage in the press! 🙁