Sharks knock out Griquas
10 Oct 2009
Griquas’ dream run in the Currie Cup ended in Kimberley when they were defeated 45-30 by the Sharks.
The Sharks had achieved their goal of claiming five points out of the Big Hole after just 25 minutes, but the result wasn’t secured until after the hour-mark. Meanwhile Griquas, after being in the top four for the entire season, drop out at the time it matters most as the Cheetahs edge ahead of them on points difference.
If Griquas were to have any chance of reaching the play-offs for the first time in 11 years, they would had to have taken all their opportunities. But twice in the opening half they dropped the ball over the line, and while you have to feel sorry for them, they would not have been competitive in a play-off away from home. They made too many elementary errors, missed many tackles, and their discipline was again too poor to be semi-final contenders.
Fullback Riaan Viljoen opened the scoring with a 55m drop, but that would set a trend in the opening 25 minutes where the hosts would allow the Sharks straight back into the game after scoring. Their work at the kick-offs was sub-standard and this set up the first try as Stefan Terblanche finished.
Sharks coach John Plumtree would have been very happy with the variation in their play compared to last week. Their kicking game, led by Ruan Pienaar and Juan Hernandez, was much improved from the Lions encounter, while they also weren’t afraid to counter attack from deep when the opportunity arose. Pienaar’s 70m try was started from an attack sparked by his halfback partner, with the scrumhalf clutching onto a grubber ahead from Adi Jacobs.
The Sharks continued to play off the hosts’ many mistakes, and the visitors dominated territory as a result. JP Pietersen finished from another Jacobs chip, while Bismarck du Plessis claimed the fourth as he dived over from the back of a rolling maul.
The Sharks had achieved their goal, but worryingly the remainder of the first half didn’t go to plan as Du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira both had to go off due to rib and shoulder injuries respectively.
Griquas had their opportunities, but in the second minute Naas Olivier fumbled over the line after a Sarel Pretorius break, while two minutes before half-time team-mates Trompie Nontshinga and Jacques Lombard bumped into each other with an open line.
The Sharks would have been content with their lead at the break, and when reserve hooker Craig Burden dived over a 22-point lead should have meant the result was not in doubt.
But the defending champions again failed to close out the match, they didn’t have as much possession in the second stanza, and worryingly fell off numerous tackles (23 were missed throughout). Griquas centre Barry Geel finished off his hat-trick, and as the hosts allowed the game to become loose, Griquas thrived.
The Sharks’ lack of ball came from their ailing lineout as Burden failed to find his jumpers, while both sides repeatedly turned over ball at the breakdowns. Burden’s general play was better, and he grabbed his brace from another counter-attack, but when Pretorius claimed the hosts’ bonus point try, their semi-final dream was still alive. However, they couldn’t manage to claim the second bonus point that would have seen them claim fourth spot.
The champions may have got the intended result, but they will realise if they are to repeat last year’s feat only a much more clinical showing will suffice in the knock-out fixtures.
By Grant Ball
216 Comments
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10 Oct 2009, 17:10 pm
#198 bananaboy: Yes I have thought of that. John will then have to play the full 80min which is not a bad thing.
Back later going to watch the Lions/WP game now. No tv in my study.
10 Oct 2009, 17:10 pm
#196 Puma: Ha ha, I actually agree with you – you guys just had to get 5 points today – could have made it much more difficult for yourself so maybe they were just pacing themselves but the Lions v WP game should be interesting – I think the Lions might well be up for it today…
10 Oct 2009, 17:11 pm
Try to WP after 50 sec. They mean business out there
10 Oct 2009, 17:11 pm
#197 panniepeet:
Trying to be funny. Don’t think you’ll be laughing come 19H00.
10 Oct 2009, 17:11 pm
#202 panniepeet: WP have a try already.
10 Oct 2009, 17:13 pm
Thanks Sharkies…
Think it will be Bulls vs Cheetahs Final…At Loftus…
Maybe a repeat of 2005?
A man can dream can’t he?
10 Oct 2009, 17:33 pm
#206 ThaiCheetah: Indeed a man can Thai, in 2005 we were also fortunate to sneak into the semi’s and then went all the way!!
Go Cheetah’s!!
10 Oct 2009, 17:36 pm
#204 nama1: I’m laughing already mate – my team is in the semi’s and we’re happy to play the Sardines OR Problems regardless…
10 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
KUDO’S TO THE LIONS ………….
AND CONGRATS TO ALL THEIR SUPPORTERS
I said this last week after so many in here was laughing and saying Sharks blah blah blah
The Lions didnt just lose to the Sharks because we were so kak, but because this lions team is now starting to play with passion and pride
10 Oct 2009, 20:53 pm
#208 panniepeet: and we just as happy to play the slap pap vreeters
11 Oct 2009, 08:13 am
So it all worked out well for the Sharks, but the defence is in tatters guys, huge wholes.
Jacobs on defence does not drift, heck glaciers drift faster than he does.
If we want to beat any of the other 3 we better wake up. Also IMO our Boks wings are SLOW… Mvovo is better than both of them, and as fast as lighting.
Burden to start please, Bismark either needs glasses or to get into gym as he either can’t see the balls he drops or he isn’t strong enough to hold on. As for his brother, there are a few blobs of butter around his waist, the fat hangs…
Pray Deysel is fit too.
goyougoodthingsSharks!
11 Oct 2009, 08:14 am
solid effort GWK…was good to watch. This was a season to remember. From a WP supporter.
11 Oct 2009, 10:17 am
I wonder if Jacobs will be banned for kicking Mokuena in the face. Heck, I wonder if he’ll even be cited.
11 Oct 2009, 10:31 am
Jammer Griekwas,so naby en tog so ver.Die Sharks moet hul
sokkies optrek want die Cheetahs loop oor van selfvertroue.
As die Griekwas 4 driee kan druk,dan kan die Cheetahs
ook en nog meer.
11 Oct 2009, 10:44 am
The annual auction of players is taking place right now and I wonder how many players will turn out for the Cheetahs and Griquas next season.
I reckon Barry Geel,Sarel Pretorius and Riaan Viljoen
must feature high on the shopping list of the Sharks,Bulls and WP.
Lionel Mapoe from the Cheetahs could prove to be a good
replacement for Bryan Habana.
Anyway loyalty is only pocket deep nowadays.
12 Oct 2009, 04:49 am
The great White Sharks from Kings Park vs The Cows final boys.
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