Sharks struck pre-season blow against Stormers
REPORT: The Sharks struck an early blow, with a 26-17 victory over the Stormers in a pre-season outing in George on Friday.
The Sharks outscored the Stormers four tries to three, but both teams got a good workout ahead of the start of the United Championship in two weeks.
It was a hard-fought pre-season clash, with both teams giving good entertainment to an enthusiastic crowd.
The Stormers started strong, and a dominant scrum gave them an advantage, which saw Jurie Matthee pull the trigger on a cross-kick, which found Seabelo Senatla, who finished in the corner.
The Durban side responded with a try to fullback Yaw Penxe, which levelled things up, but the Stormers were back in front when Senatla crossed for his second out wide and Jurie Matthee added the touchline conversion to make it 12-5.
They kept the pressure on and after more relentless attack in the 22, it was flank Ben-Jason Dixon who forced his way over for the third try.
Centre Francois Venter scored under the poles just before the break, but it was the Stormers that went into half-time with a 17-12 advantage.
The Sharks took the lead for the first time through a try from Jason Jenkins early in the second half.
The Stormers camped in the 22 and earned several penalties without getting over the line and instead it would be the Durban side to score next against the run of play as wing Christie Grobbelaar sprinted down the touchline for their fourth try.
Both teams had their opportunities in the final stages, but there would be no further tries.
The scorers:
For Stormers
Tries: Senatla 2, Dixon
Con: Matthee
For Sharks:
Tries: Penxe, Venter, Jenkins, Grobbelaar
Cons: Masuku, Smith
Teams
Stormers: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 JJ Kotze, 20 Alex Groves, 21 Connor Evans, 22 Louw Nel, 23 Stefan Ungerer, 24 Clinton Swart, 25 Damian Markus, 26 Jared Africa, 27 Justin Geduld, 28 Sako Makata.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Edwill van der Merwe, 24 Paschal Ekeji, 25 Jean Smith, 26 Hakeem Kunene, 27 Mawande Mdanda, 28. Willem van den Hever.
* Source: @THESTORMERS
* Picture credit: @SharksRugby
