Masuku concern as sloppy Sharks scrape past plucky Scarlets 

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks finished their regular season United Rugby Championship campaign with a tryless 12-3 victory over the Scarlets.

It was a dogfight riddled with errors throughout the entire contest with neither side not giving each other an inch with both sides stopping each other inches away from scoring.

The match started off scrappy with Eben Etzebeth charging down the kick of Archie Hughes within the first 30 seconds and Siya Masuku knocking on a high ball minutes later leading to the first scrum of the match.

*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!

The sides got a feel for each other in the opening 10 minutes through a kicking duel before Scarlets got a penalty that provided an attacking line-out inside the Sharks’ 22 but the visitors conceded the penalty for sealing the ball off at the breakdown.

Moments later, the Sharks got an attacking line-out of their own and earned another penalty for no release in the tackle whilst on the attack.

The hosts opted for the scrum and went on the attack as Phepsi Buthelezi picked the ball up at the back, but another penalty went against the Scarlets with lock Alex Craig the guilty party.

The Sharks went for a tap penalty variation and blew the opportunity as Tino Mavasere knocked the ball on five metres from the line.

The Sharks persisted to not kick at goal and failed to convert their attacking opportunities as the Scarlets defended bravely.

The match went back and forth with both sides squandering scoring opportunities during the first half.

The contest remained scoreless until the 38th minute when Aphelele Fassi chased down an up-and-under kick which Blair Murray fielded. Fassi put his opposite number under pressure and allowed his forwards to pile in and earn the breakdown penalty which Siya Masuku slotted.

The score ignited the Scarlets as the Sharks’ sloppy handling led to Sam Costelow slotting a drop goal as the half-time hooter sounded.

The article continues below…

The second half started with a Scarlets knock-on as the handling errors continued to mount and the Sharks earned the scrum feed.

There would be concern as Siya Masuku left the field in some discomfort in the 50th minute with Aphelele Fassi taking over the playmaking duties.

Fassi stepped up moments later as Scarlets conceded a penalty and the Springbok fullback slotted the kick in the 52nd minute to get the Sharks back in front.

A knock-on into touch gave the Sharks an attacking scrum in the 58th minute as their fresh legs from the bench provided them good metres on attack, but then conceded the penalty for holding on as the Scarlets survived the onslaught.

The Sharks earned another attacking opportunity after a scrum penalty going their way in their half. The hosts attacked from the set piece and earned another penalty after 21 phases of attack in front of the posts.

Aphelele Fassi stepped up again and slotted the formality in the 69th minute to double the Sharks’ lead.

Scarlets earned an attacking scrum outside the Sharks’ 22 moments later as Aphelele Fassi knocked a contestable kick on and earned the penalty.

Sam Costelow set the five-metre attacking line-out which the Sharks sacked legally as the visitors kept matters tight with their forwards but knocked the ball on with six minutes to play.

The Sharks won the scrum penalty to get out of danger as Fassi cleared the ball short of his 10-metre line.

The hosts earned another penalty for not rolling away followed by a third consecutive one in kicking range as Marnus van der Merwe was off his feet at the breakdown.

Aphelele Fassi stepped up and slotted his third penalty of the evening to deny the Scarlets a losing bonus point and seventh position on the table as the siren sounded.

The article continues below…

Scorers:

For the Sharks:
Pens: Masuku, Fassi 3

For Scarlets:
DG: Costelow

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Dan Davis, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (France)