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Rusty Sharks edge fallible Force
Super 14 | February 15th, 2008
The Sharks managed a 17-10 victory in a lively but error-strewn affair at Kings Park on Friday.
The final quarter was a great test for both teams in terms of fitness, as the increased number of free kicks saw both sides opting to keep the ball alive. The nerve-wracking final 10 minutes would have had Sharks supporters having flashbacks to the 2007 Super 14 final, where Bulls winger Bryan Habana scored the winning try. However, the Force coughed up possession at the last and Sharks replacement scrumhalf Rory Kockott sealed the win when he kicked the ball out.
The first half was a forgettable one for both teams. The Sharks found themselves in promising positions but blew numerous opportunities through poor decision-making and unbelievably shocking handling. The pace of the game was frantic with both sides capitalising on the increased number of free kicks, but this inevitably led to a lack of structure, which eliminated one of the Sharks real strengths.
This was evident through the only try of the first half. Starting from outside the Force 22, the Sharks maul rumbled through the defence [EDIT: A bit of a worry there] with Jacques Botes eventually scoring the try. They were unable to emulate this execution in subsequent attacks.
The Force did not enjoy as much possession or territory as the Sharks, but they also managed to butcher a number of opportunities. Cameron Shepherd and Drew Mitchell had an awful night, the latter placing his side under all sorts of pressure through his inability to clear with his right foot.
The second stanza started much like the first, but in the 52nd minute, Brad Barritt provided the catalyst this game so desperately needed. The ball was swung wide off a Sharks attack in the opposition 22 and the young centre produced a classy palm-on that resulted in a try to Stefan Terblanche. At 14-3, the hosts finally had some reward for their dominance.
But the Sharks failed to press home this advantage, and when Scott Staniforth intercepted a pass on halfway, the visitors found themselves just four points behind. Staniforth offloaded inside to Matt Giteau who shifted the final pass to replacement hooker Luke Holmes. Giteau’s conversion took the score to 14-10.
The Force missed captain Nathan Sharpe in the line-out [EDIT: WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN? NEVER NEVER EAT ANYTHING IN SAFFALAND!!!!!], and opposite number Johann Muller did well to pilfer a few off the Force throw-in. This match wasn’t dominated by set-pieces, but the Sharks clearly held the ascendancy in this department.
Winger Nick Cummins excelled for the Force out wide, stepping Henno Mentz and having the best of the Sharks No 14 in the aerial battle. Giteau didn’t have the impact John Mitchell would have hoped for and was guilty of some poor kicks that placed his side under undue pressure.
Frans Steyn was a late replacement for Freddie Michalak at flyhalf and also struggled to stamp his authority on the game. The Bok utility player did, however, nail a vital penalty from inside his own half to seal the victory in the dying minutes.
Sharks - Try: Jacques Botes, Stefan Terblanche. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (2). Penalty: Frans Steyn.
Force - Try: Luke Holmes. Conversion: Matt Giteau. Penalty: Cameron Shepherd.
By Jon Cardinelli
keo.co.za
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CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!! 
Originally Posted by Jess
