15/02/2008 21:28

Last year's finalists, who had led 14-3 just minutes after the half-time interval, were given an almighty scare in the second period after the visitors closed the gap to just four points with 15 minutes to go.

While the victory would have pleased the home fans, they would have been disappointed to not see French import, flyhalf Frederic Michalak, in action.

The mercurial No 10, who has replaced Butch James at the Sharks, failed to recover from a calf strain and was replaced by Francois Steyn.

The Western Force were also hit by the withdrawal of captain Nathan Sharpe, who was suffering from food poisoning.

The Sharks dominated from the outset, with their Springbok-laden pack enjoying supremacy over the visitors.

It was also the Sharks who got to grips with the new experimental laws quicker than the Force, exploiting the 22m area kicking law to perfection.

Botes dived over for a try

The Force's Cameron Shepherd and left wing Drew Mitchell were often found wanting under the high ball, while Mitchell's inability to kick with his right foot ensured his team were often under pressure deep inside their own half.

While Shepherd opened the scoring with a penalty in the 19th minute, the Sharks' better organised pack who were always on the front foot, meant the home side enjoyed the majority of the territory and possession.

And it was only a matter of time before the Force's outstanding defences were breached.

The Sharks scored their first try on 26 minutes after the pack mauled the ball well over 30m towards the visitors' tryline, allowing flanker Jacques Botes to peel off the side and dive over for the try.

Ruan Pienaar added the two points with the conversion.

There was little for the Australasians to get excited about in the first period, but young right wing Nick Cummins would have given coach John Mitchell plenty to smile about.

The Sharks scored a second try seven minutes after the restart.

Steyn kicked a 60m penalty

Some deft handwork by centre Brad Barritt allowed veteran fullback Stefan Terblanche to go in next to the right upright and the conversion by Pienaar put the Sharks 14-3 up.

The Force then narrowed the gap to just four points with a converted try in the 65th minute when a loose ball was pounced on by the visitors and replacement hooker Luke Holmes ran in to score under the posts.

Matt Giteau added the extras.

Then, minutes later Cummins was brought down metres from the tryline by Albert van den Berg in what would have been a certain five-pointer for the visitors.

The Sharks though sealed the outcome with minutes to go when Steyn struck a penalty from nearly 60m out to help his side to a first up win and four points.