Gold: 'We are way off'
In the end it ultimately cost them victory, with WP securing a 37-27 win in Durban at the weekend.
The Sharks mentor stated that they are 'way off' from where they need to be to compete for the Currie Cup glory.
The Sharks were in the ascendency in the final 10 minutes of the first-half and when big centre Andre Esterhuizen crashed over for a score in the corner. And when flyhalf Joe Pietersen slotted another penalty just before the break, the Sharks went into the sheds leading 17-10 over Western Province.
However, 13 minutes into the second-half Province had scored three five-pointers.
Three minutes after the restart Rynhardt Elstadt finished off a great move, after he bulldozed his way over the tryline. Four minutes later Dillyn 
Leyds was put away, after a Huw Jones bust, and then replacement hooker Bongi Mbonambi powered his way to the tryline after a Sikhumbuzo Notshe run.
"We were really confident at half-time six points up," said frustrated Sharks coach Gary Gold.
"And then it was 10 to 13 minutes of madness where we concede three tries.
"We wanted to get the season back on track, and with other results around the country it was an opportunity to move up the table and we didn't take that opportunity.
"It is very disappointing with the whole occasion and how much we wanted to play for the former players and the legacy they left.
"We came out in the second half and conceded one or two penalties and made one or two mistakes that got them [Western Province] back in the game.
"We are not going to give up, I think it was a good yardstick where we are at the moment," added Gold.
Gold conceded that although they occupy fourth position in the Currie Cup standings, the top three places are all but set-in-stone.
"We are still fourth and this competition is still wide open. The first three spots are probably taken, but we just have to make sure we take the fourth position.
"Every point is precious, at least we are still in the fight.
"I am going to continue to back this group of players, I know when it does click we have a great bunch of rugby players."
Gold backed his troops saying that they are giving it their all and they always pitch up ready for battle but again conceded that they are not at the level he had anticipated.
"I don't think this group is not pitching up, they trying their hardest, but we are way off where we need to be to compete in this competition."
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