Matthews' hat-trick proves decisive as Sharks survive scare

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks survived a second-half fightback by the Pumas to draw first blood in this years’ Currie Cup at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday evening.

The Durbanites clinched the game 26-24 after leading 19-5 at halftime.

The Pumas had been threatening with ball in hand as they spread the ball wide for flyer Lundi Msenge to streak down the touchline and dive over in the corner.

Nevaldo Fleurs pulled the conversion wide, and the Pumas drew first blood in the match.

It took the Sharks 20 minutes to finally work their way into the Pumas’ half of the field after stringing together a few phases.

And it paid off as the visitors grabbed their first try of the competition.

From a lineout steal, they shifted the ball through the hands, then grubbed the ball down the touchline for Lyle Matthews to scoop up and score.

Swiel converted for the visitors to take the lead for the first time.

The Sharks continued to build on the momentum, and they extended their lead after a beautiful little run by Johan Momsen before Matthews dotted down for his second five-pointer of the evening.

The visitors had clicked into gear, and after a 50/22 by Janco Purchase, they were on the hunt for their third try.

The Pumas managed to clear and shift the action back to the midfield.

When Matthews grabbed his third try on debut, and Swiel added the extras, the Pumas were trailing 5-19 at halftime.

When Kerron van Vuuren scored the Sharks’ bonus point try just after halftime, it signaled a tough hill to climb for the hosts.

The Pumas were desperately trying to hold out a driving maul by the Sharks, but it was to no avail.

The Pumas finally found their breakthrough, moving the ball swiftly to the blind side where a slick passing move sent Thomas Bursey diving over for the opening try.

But a review by the TMO showed that one of the passes was forward and the try was not allowed.

They got right back onto the horse and this time they made sure to get back into the game.

From the lineout, the pack worked in unison to swing to the blindside, and Chyle van Zyl was the player who scored.

The passage of play seemed to ignite the Pumas into belief, and a few minutes later they were in the red zone once more.

Winning a penalty in front of the uprights set them up for another points opportunity, but the ball was intercepted by the Sharks and booted away to the safety of the touchline.

But the home side were hitting their strides in the last quarter with good urgency on attack to get the overlap on the wing for Tino Swanepoel to sprint to the corner and sneak over for the try.

With just under 20 minutes to go, the hosts were trailing 17-26 but playing with confidence.

They were at it again and completely pulverised the defence to score their fourth try through JJ Scheepers. They just seemed unstoppable, and all of a sudden, it was a two-point game and ten minutes left on the clock.

The Pumas stabbed a kick into the corner for a 50/22 as the ball was just about overcooked to sail straight in touch, and the Sharks could breathe a sigh of relief.

Scorers:

For Pumas:
Tries: Msenge, Van Zyl, Swanepoel, Scheepers
Cons: Fleurs 2

For Sharks:
Tries: Matthews 3, Van Vuuren
Cons: Swiel 3

Teams

Pumas: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Jordan McLoughlin, 1.Kudzwai Dube
Replacements: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Alfonso Isaacs

Sharks: 15 Chijindu Okonta, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Lyle Matthews, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Thomas Dyer (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Willem van den Hever, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Sipho Nonyalela, 20 Hanu Pieterse, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Chris Horak, 23 Matthew Fortuin.

Referee: Juan de Bod
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen & Jonathan Lottering
TMO: Egon Seconds