April kicks Sharks to shock win

The 24-year-old April, in his first start, kicked five penalties in a 15-14 win – leaving the Highlanders with plenty of ground to make up on the tournament's pace-setters at the halfway point of the competition.

The home team scored the only try of a scrappy match, but a red card for foul play by Jason Emery forced the Highlanders to play with 1 men for 67 minutes of the match.

Not that the Sharks' discipline was any better – the visitors twice reduced to 14 men (through yellow cards) for professional fouls.

Captain Tendai Mtawarira said it was a confidence-booster, after the Sharks lost to the Blues last week through a late try.

"After last week's disappointment the boys really deserved this win," he said.

"They've really been working hard and we stuck to our guns, held onto the ball, went through a couple of phases. I'm really happy."

The loss is the Highlanders' second by one point – after they went down to the Reds 27-28, but skipper Ben Smith said he had no complaints.

"We got beaten by a better team, the Sharks played really well and deserved the win," said Smith.

The Highlanders took an early lead through Lima Sopoaga's penalty after the Sharks were penalised for obstruction.

The Sharks were on the attack and up 6-3 when Highlanders centre Jason Emery was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Willie le Roux.

Emery charged into le Roux as the fullback was leaping for a high ball, sending him cartwheeling in the air and landing on his neck.

While le Roux was able to continue playing, referee Ben O'Keefe showed no hesitation brandishing a red card.

The Sharks pressed forward but desperate Highlanders defence repeatedly kept them out, despite the disadvantage.

Sharks lock Stephan Lewies was sinbinned just before half-time, temporarily evening up the numbers, only for the Highlanders to be denied two tries after being held up over the line.

The sides continued to exchange penalties after the break before wing Matt Faddes touched down out wide to put the Highlanders ahead 14-12.

However, the home team's discipline slipped one more time, allowing the nerveless April to make it five penalties from five.

Man of the match: Lima Sopoaga blew hot and cold, Aaron Smith would be more useful if he stops being so petulant and Ben Smith was again the most creative back. Elliot Dixon was a real nuisance at the breakdown. Although not flawless, Garth April was steady – just the kind of influence the Sharks needed in the No.10 channel. Franco Marais was the most energetic of the visiting team's forwards. Our man of the match is Sharks flyhalf Garth April – not just for kicking his team to victory, but a great all-round debut.

The scorers:

For the Highlanders:

Try: Faddes

Pens: Sopoaga 3

For the Sharks:

Pens: April 5

Yellow cards: Stephan Lewies (Sharks, 36 – professional foul, not retreating 10 metres), Jon-Paul Pietersen (Sharks, 52 – professional foul, playing the scrumhalf while lying on his back)

Red card: Jason Emery (Highlanders, 13 – foul and dangerous play, shoulder-charging a man in the air)

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Shane Christie (co-captain), 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.

Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Patrick Osborne.

Sharks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).

Replacements: 16 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Joe Pietersen, 23 Sibusiso Sithole.

Referee: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)

TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)

in case some are wondering, Law is clear "If there is no contest and the player lands on his head or neck, red card" pic.twitter.com/BYtTzFIYz4

— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) April 22, 2016