Desire won it for Sharks
South Africa's Sharks overcame a slow start to beat the Western Force 23-13 in their Super Rugby clash in Perth on Friday to end a five-match losing streak.
The home side powered out to a 10-7 half-time lead, before being run down in the second half – the Sharks scoring their second of two tries to help seal the 10-point margin.
Sharks captain Daniel said it was a much-needed win based more on determination than great form.
"We were under a lot of pressure this week," he said of the criticism his team faced in the wake of one of their worst-ever losing streaks.
"That was guts and effort."
Daniel said the Sharks were confident they could outlast the Force.
"We knew we have been strong in the second half of games and that's what happened," he said.
"We are very happy with that win."
Force captain Matt Hodgson said his side lacked patience, especially straight after the resumption.
"We got frustrated with ourselves," he said.
"We didn't stick to our game plan in the first 20 minutes of the second half and they made us pay."
Force coach Michael Foley said while the first half included some of his side's best rugby of the season, his side's inability to continue that momentum through the second term was costly.
"We'll learn from that," he said.
"For all of us there's an overwhelming sense of disappointment because of how well we played in the first half and how well we controlled the game.
"To let that slip, you feel very disappointed.
"With experience definitely comes those lessons but it's one of those games that you sit there and think about and wish you could play again."
