Defending champions Natal Sharks beat Free State Cheetahs to secure a final berth in 2011 ABSA Currie Cup
South African provincial Rugby Union side, Natal Sharks, has defeated the Bloemfontein based, Free State Cheetahs, in the first semi-final of the 2011 ABSA Currie Cup tournament to secure a
place in the final of the competition. Sharks, who are defending champions, defeated the Cheetahs by 20 – 13 on Saturday, October 22.
Sharks hosted the Cheetahs at the Kings Park, Durban as the visitors kept the defending champions and hosts trailing by 13 points at the end of the first-half.
Hosts were strengthened with the return of several first choice players, following the end of the Springboks 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. Springboks' international Patrick Lambie kick started
the match.
Sharks dominated the early period of the game but failed to score due to missed scoring opportunities. Lambie missed the penalty in the eight minute of the game, which allowed Cheetahs to control
the ball and develop momentum.
Cheetahs were first to score in the tournament as they sent their fly half, Johan Goosen, to kick their first penalty of the game in the 14th minute. Sharks were able to win another
penalty, however, their fly half Fredric Michalak failed to score on it.
Visitors were on their toes as they established their dominance with both the ball and territory possession. Goosen’s 19th minute penalty extended their lead to six points. Few
minutes later, Cheetahs fullback Hennie Daniller scored the first try of the match in the 23rd minute of the game. Goosen followed with his conversion to take the scorecard reading 13 – 0. Sharks missed their third penalty of the first half in
the 27th minute of the game, as Michalak failed to kick it through the posts, leaving hosts trailing by massive 13 points lead.
Sharks eventually were able to capitalise on a scoring opportunity to register their first points of the board. Lambie slot the penalty in the 36th minute of the game, his first
of the match after making a switch to the fly half position from the full back position, due to injury to Michalak. Both teams left the field at the end of the first half, with scorecard reading 13 – 3, as Cheetahs missed a penalty and drop goal just before
the end of the first half.
Sharks started the second half strongly. They sent their prop Tendai Mtawarira to score their first try of the match in the 43rd minute. Lambie followed with his conversion to leave
the hosts trailing by just 3 points.
Sharks put themselves into the lead courtesy of their winger Odwa Ndungane’s 53rd minute try. Lambie followed with his conversion to take the scorecard reading 17 – 13. Lambie missed
another penalty in the 58th minute of the game. However, he slotted his 75th minute penalty to take the scorecard reading 20 -13 and the score remained the same by the end of the full time.
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