Sharks sink game Griquas
2007-07-14 18:59
Durban - Stefan Terblanche and Adrian Jacobs grabbed two tries each to steer the Sharks to a convincing 43-20 (half-time 24-6) win over Griquas in their Currie Cup match in Durban on Saturday.
The Sharks reeled off six tries against a plucky but outclassed Griquas outfit, who deserved the two tries they scored in reply.
Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott goaled all five kicks he aimed at the uprights, most of them from acute angles.
There might have been a few gasps on the Griquas bench when fullback Terblanche sped in for the first touchdown with just 31 seconds played.
That was after flank Keegan Daniel had made a storming break from the kick-off.
But within seconds of the restart the visitors had barrelled their way downfield and the Sharks found themselves pinned in their own 22.
Much of match unfolded on similar terms, but the Sharks showed significantly better finishing ability while Griquas frequently faltered with the goalline looming.
Centre Jacobs claimed the Sharks' second try in the 18th minute when he straightened the line and then smashed through the defence.
There were seven minutes left in the first half when loosehead prop Beast Mtawarira carried several defenders over the line with him and crashed over to score.
The scoreboard remained unmoved early in the second half as play continued to sweep from one 22m line to the other.
Then, in the 55th minute, Griquas finally broke through a last-ditch tackle when right wing Baldwin McBean scored after muscling through left wing Henno Mentz's challenge.
Flyhalf Conrad Barnard converted from the touchline, but six minutes later he hit the upright with a penalty that would have narrowed the gap to eight points.
Instead, the Sharks surged back and Terblanche took the final pass to score his second try, which earned the home side their bonus point.
Griquas earned a consolation for all their hard work when replacement Wayne van Heerden burst down the touchline to score with three minutes remaining.
But the Sharks had the last laugh when lock Steven Sykes was driven over on the hooter.
Scorers:
Sharks
Tries: Stefan Terblanche (2), Adrian Jacobs (2), Beast Mtawarira, Steven Sykes
Conversions: Rory Kockott (4), Bradley Barritt
Penalty: Kockott
Griquas
Tries: Baldwin McBean, Wayne van Heerden
Conversions: Conrad Barnard (2)
Penalties: Barnard (2)