Sharks in feeding frenzy against Force
The Sharks managed to work their way into the top six on the Super Rugby standings after a 53-11, seven-tries-to-one victory over the hapless Western Force in Durban on Saturday.
After a slow start to the season, in which they lost three of their first five matches, the bonus-point win saw them move past two New Zealand teams – the Highlanders and Hurricanes – to get into play-off contention. It also means South Africa now have three teams in the top six.
It was a rather inauspicious start to the match, with the Force taking an early lead through a David Harvey penalty in the sixth minute.
But the Sharks, through their muscular pack, steadily gained control and Lambie levelled matters in the 12th minute with a penalty of his own.
It didn’t take the Sharks long to establish their authority – Steven Sykes went over from close range in the 16th minute, after the Sharks forwards had a couple of rushes at the line and he found acres of space. Lambie’s conversion made it 10-3.
The Force had a brief moment of hope, when Harvey kicked a second penalty in the 29th minute, but by half-time the Sharks had stretched their lead to a commanding 20-6.
The home team’s second try came when Pat Lambie created his own space in a Force defensive line that looked organised and off-loaded to Paul Jordaan, who sprinted over. Lambie made it 17-6 and then added a penalty on the half-time hooter.
But the Force’s nightmare visit to Durban was compounded when first is Ludik, running a great angle, and then Lwazi Mvovo – pouncing on a poor pass by the Force – scored in quick succession.
Frederic Michalak, on for a groggy-looking Pat Lambie, kicked one of the two conversion attempts and six minutes into the second half the Sharks held a 32-6 lead and the bonus point in the bag to boot.
It did not get any better. The Force, after having tapped a penalty, turned the ball over. Mvovo chipped, collected and sprinted 70 metres for his second try. Michalak added another conversion – 39-6 after 50 minutes.
It did not get any better for the Force, with replacement Lachlan McCaffrey sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements at the breakdown.
The Sharks did not do themselves any favours – a Bismarck du Plessis try having been turned over into a penalty for the Force, after Anton Bresler was caught giving an opponent a facial.
The game seemed to go into a lull, until replacement hooker Craig Burden sneaked over from close range – after a penalty against the Force’s right wing Sam Wara, who may well have been lucky not to be carded for playing Ludik without the ball. Michalak added the conversion as the home team’s lead stretched to 46-6.
Jacques Botes joined the try-scoring party in the 73rd minute – as the Force looked a drab lot and the home team went past the half-century mark. Botes charged over from close range after a penalty, a quick tap and a few rushes. Michalak’s penalty made it 53-6.
The Force tried gamely, hoping to get a consolation score and reclaim some pride, and Samu Wara was given a fortuitous try right on full-time. Ben Seymour failed to add the extras and the Sharks took a deserved 53-11 win and full-house of five valuable points.
Man of the match: You will look at the work done by the pack – with Bismarck du Plessis ever present and certainly a very string candidate. Keegan Daniel also had a busy day at the office. Paul Jordaan and Tim Whitehead are beginning to settle as a midfield combination, while you can’t ignore Lwazi Mvovo’s finishing ability. Frederic Michalak also had one of his better games in the Sharks jersey. However, the real damage was done by Patrick Lambie in the first half and even though he did not come out after the half-time break, our award goes to the Sharks’ starting flyhalf.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Sykes, Jordaan, Ludik, Mvovo 2, Burden, Botes
Cons: Lambie 2, Michalak 4
Pens: Lambie 2
For the Western Force
Try: Wara
Pens: Harvey 2
Yellow cards: Lachlan McCaffrey (Western Force, 60 – repeated infringements at the breakdown), Craig Burden (Sharks, 78 – foul play, tripping an opponent)
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Ryan Kankowski, 21 Frederic Michalak, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Western Force: 15 Alfie Mafi, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 David Harvey, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Ben Seymour, 22 Rory Sidey.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Joey Salmans (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
