Sharks bounce back to claim bonus

Editor

The Sharks overturned a ten-point deficit at half-time to romp to a 34-16 win over the Brumbies in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks overturned a ten-point deficit at half-time to romp to a 34-16 win over the Brumbies in Durban on Saturday.

Trailing 6 -16 at half time, the Sharks scored four unanswered tries in a much-improved second period to claim a bonus point and close the gap on the Stormers in the South African conference.

'A game of two halves' is an overused cliche but seldom has it been more appropriate. Not much went right for the Sharks in the first half: A malfunctioning line-out, poor handling, predictable tactics and a lack of patience – especially at the breakdown – saw the hosts starved of quality possession in the first 40.

When the Sharks did hold on, a few questionable decisions in turning down kickable penalties saw the Brumbies grab the first half's only try with a sweeping counter attack, started in their own 22 and finished off by Christian Lealiifano.

The hosts however got their act together in the second period – thanks in no small part to their bench – while the Brumbies once again failed to put in an 80-minute performance.

JP Pietersen got the ball rolling when he sidestepped his way over. Lock Steven Sykes scored number two from the platform created by a huge scrum to put the Durbanites ahead for the first time with half-an-hour left.

Adi Jacobs came off the bench and made his presence felt with try number three, finishing off a counter attack in which he was heavily involved.

With just two minutes left on the clock, replacement lock Anton Bresler muscled his way over to grab the bonus point.

Sharks now have a bye week while the Brumbies head home to Canberra where they will face the Lions.

The scorers:

For the Sharks:
Tries: Pietersen, Sykes, Jacobs, Bresler
Cons: Lambie 4
Pens: Lambie 2

For the Brumbies:
Try: Lealiifano
Con: Giteau
Pens: Giteau 3

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche (c), 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Eugene van Staden,
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira,18 Anton Bresler, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Lwazi Mvovo

Brumbies: 15 Pat McCabe, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Pat Phibbs, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Colby Faingaa, 6 Mitch Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Franky Fainifo.