Sharks battle past Lions

during the Absa Currie Cup warm-up match between Sharks and Lions at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg South Africa on July 31, 2015 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

during the Absa Currie Cup warm-up match between Sharks and Lions at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg South Africa on July 31, 2015 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Published Aug 1, 2015

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Johannesburg – The Sharks edged the Lions 33-29 in their Currie Cup warm-up match at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.

Joe Pietersen opened the scoring for the Sharks after both sides showed good attacking intent early in the game, each having a chance to score but not closing out, before he successfully chased his deft grubber through the middle, the ball popping up nicely for him to score under the posts.

He converted for a 7-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes, both sides having turned down kickable penalties at goal in favour of playing as much rugby as possible.

The visitors responded with their own lineout in the Sharks 22, spread the ball wide for their opening try, scored in the corner and well converted from out wide to level matters on the quarter hour mark.

A strong build-up from the home side saw the ball moved wide with clinical precision off the back of a long, attacking lineout and wing Charles Mayeza took two defenders over the tryline to put his side back into the lead.

There was no shortage of action as both teams gave the ball plenty of width, running at every opportunity.

It was one such break down the flank that allowed the Lions to once again draw level, Courtnall Skosan showing pace to deliver his team’s second try. Marnitz Boshoff converted to give the Lions the lead for the first time in the match on the half hour mark.

Moments later Skosan streaked down the same flank for the third try, the successful conversion taking the Lions into a 21-12 lead. There was one last chance for the Sharks who came close to scoring in the last move of the half before the final pass failed to go to hand and the Lions enjoying a nine point lead.

Director of Rugby Gary Gold threw on an almost completely changed side in the second half – as he had stated he would – only Jean-Luc du Preez and Monde Hadebe remaining from the first half side. Hadebe was the man in control of the ball as the Sharks drove over early, although referee Stuart Berry awarded a penalty try with Lionel Cronje converting to bring his team right back into the game early on.

There was the welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit, making his return after months of rehab. He will be available to the Sharks for the Currie Cup until such time as the Springboks call him up for Rugby World Cup duty.

The first penalty of the match pushed the Lions into a 24-19 lead, but after some enterprising attacking play, a great break from Thomas du Toit who then fed Stefan Ungerer for the fourth try allowed them to draw level, before Cronje converted for a two point lead.

With their tails up, the Sharks visibly grew in confidence with another determined and encouraging attack and although it wasn’t closed out, the pressure was starting to show on the visitors who were battling to contain the home side.

After the Lions had knocked the ball on in their 22, a powerful Sharks scrum laid the platform for the attack with S’bura Sithole powering over in the corner to stretch their lead to 33-24 after Cronje converted from out wide.

The Lions, stung by two tries from the home side managed to strike back right from the kick-off with a driving try that brought them back to within four points but with only a minutes remaining, but there would be no further change in the score. - ANA

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