Sharks savage Boland

14 Sep 2007

The Sharks took a major step closer to securing a home semi-final with a 50-25 victory over Boland.

For all the promise they showed on attack, Boland lacked the defensive game to build any sustained pressure. They routinely fell off first time tackles, allowing the Sharks to open a 12-point lead early in the match.

The hosts struck twice in the first quarter with both tries having more to do with woeful Boland defence than it did with Sharks creativity.

Ryan Kankowski finished a simple blindside move off a scrum, before Odwa Ndungane scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 35m untouched to give the Sharks the ascendency. But Boland have shown themselves to be a resilient unit and replied through Henly du Plessis and Alvin Hugo either side of a Keegan Daniel score.

Du Plessis powered over after nine phases had driven Boland into the Sharks 22m, while Hugo profited from a quick ruck clean and good vision from flyhalf Lionel Cornelius, who threw a cut-out pass to pick him out on the wing.

At 22-13, Boland would have fancied their chances of upsetting the Sharks but they allowed Rory Kockott to slip three tackles and offload to Daniel. Again Boland replied, only to concede a double score, Jacques Botes crossing after unstoppable maul, before Waylon Murray rounded off a long range counterattack.

That effectively ended the contest but Boland remained committed albeit devioid of the attacking structure to break down the Sharks defence. John Plumtree’s men reserved their best try of the evening for the game’s dying minutes. The ball travelled through numerous pairs of hands before Murray sliced through the cover defence and found Monty Dumond running in support.

Boland claimed a well deserved bonus point when Hugo bagged his hattrick after a brilliant counterattack.

The victory takes the Sharks 12 points clear of the third-placed Bulls with three games remaining. They have to fancy their chances of hosting a semi-final now.

Sharks – Try: Ryan Kankowski, Odwa Ndungane, Keegan Daniel (2), Jacques Botes, Waylon Murray, Monty Dumond. Conversion: Rory Kockott (6). Penalty: Rory Kockott
Boland - Try: Henley du Plessis, Alvin Hugo (3). Penalty: Lionel Cornelius. Conversion: Isma-eel Dollie


8 Comments

  • 1.Xkreni-WP: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2007, 19:47 pm

    wail-on you plonker

  • 2.OCO: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2007, 19:56 pm

    Sharks showing that they can move the ball reminiscent of there ’90′s team. Even with their second string side they are looking quick around the park.
    Bolnd deserved the bonus point by taking the few opportunities that presented themselves.
    Bobo is back to his best or better than he has been. Kankowski is Bok material, Odwa shows again that they took the wrong Ndugwani to the WC, and Kokott is someone to watch in the future. As fast as FdP and he can kick too.

  • 3.something arbitrary: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 02:06 am

    What’s the situation regarding citings in the Currie Cup? ‘Cos Keegan Daniel could be in serious trouble for that ridiculous incident in the last quarter. He looked at the ball, looked at the man, and decided to take the man – and frankly, it was more like a punch than a tackle.

    He’s a talented kid, but that was nonsense.

  • 4.sean: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 02:17 am

    Was at the game. Good performance from the Sharks!
    Bobo was excellent (much better than Murray) and thought Mynhardt and Uys were superb off the bench!
    Agree that Daniel should be in some trouble after that challenge!

  • 5.something arbitrary: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 02:21 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see an opponent score in the last minute… Boland deserved the bonus point for entertainment value alone.

  • 6.OCO: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 08:02 am

    Keegan Daniel’s ‘tackle’ was rediculous. Hope he does get cited and lose some game time.
    Maybe he will learn from it.

  • 7.Charlie: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 08:57 am

    Good win for the Sharks… :)

    Keegan Daniel are going to be lucky if not cited for that awful swinging arm tackle on a player without the ball aswell…Say no more… :(

    My pick for the match…Gcobani Bobo Man of the Match…well deserved… Adi Jacobs you beauty, proving his class week after week, outstanding on defence and Odwa Ndungane the ever present predator, great try… :)

  • 8.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2007, 09:04 am

    #3 and #6

    doesn’t that Keegan kid have a reputation?? as a hothead?

    they were wrong when some said he could be the next Bartmann..more like Burger G
    more like it.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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