Defending champions Natal Sharks secure top position in 2011 ABSA Currie Cup table - Rugby news
South African Rugby Union’s (SARU) provincial side, Natal Sharks, have secured the first position in the 2011 ABSA Currie Cup after they defeated the Free State Cheetahs side in their round
three encounter of the ongoing tournament. The defending champions Natal Sharks registered their third consecutive win of the tournament as they registered a bonus point victory over the Cheetahs.
Sharks defeated Cheetahs 43 - 34 at Kings Park, Durban on Saturday, July 30.
The visitors lost an opportunity to take the lead early in the match as their fly half, Sias Ebersohn, failed to score on a drop goal in the first minute of the game. Sharks replied strongly
as they controlled the ball and territory possession and created scoring opportunities.
Sharks were first to score in the match courtesy of their right-winger Mark Richards’ 4th minute try. Sharks fly half, Frederic Michalak, followed with his conversion. With Sharks
controlling the game, they sent their full back Louis Ludik to score their second try of the match in the 9th minute. Michalak’s successful conversion left the visitors trailing by 14 points at the end of first 10 minutes of the encounter.
Cheetahs momentarily enjoyed possession as they were able to win a penalty on which Ebersohn capitalised to put their first points on the board in the 14th minute of the game.
However, Sharks were playing on home ground and in front of a massive numbers of fans, continued to retain ball possession and maintain their dominance on the proceedings. They registered two
tries in a span of 10 minutes to increase their lead.
Sharks flanker Jacques Botes scored a try in the 18th minute, as Michalak missed on the subsequent conversion. Sharks left-winger Sibusiso Sithole scored Sharks bonus point try
in the 21st minute of the game, which was followed by Michalak’s successfully conversion to take the scorecard reading 26 – 3.
Cheetahs right winger, Riaan Smit, their first try of the game in the 24th minute, which was followed by Ebersohn’s conversion to reduce their deficit to 16 points. In the last 10
minutes of the first-half, both teams exchanged a try each. For Sharks their flanker Botes scored the try, but they failed on conversion while for Cheetahs their number eight Johannes Gerhardus Prinsloo scored their try, which was followed by Ebersohn’s successful
conversion to take the scorecard reading 31 – 17. The scorecard remained the same at the end of the first-half.
Sharks started the second-half strongly as their fly half Michalak scored two consecutive penalties for them in the 47th and 51st minute of the game to extend their lead
to 20 points. Cheetahs were able to take ball possession and slowly started to control territory.
Cheetahs send their outside prop WP Nel to score a try in the 58th minute of the game. Ebersohn followed with his conversion to take the scorecard reading 37 – 24. Michalak missed
a drop goal but scored on the penalty in the 63rd minute of the game to extend their lead again to 16 points.
In the remaining 15 minutes of the game, Cheetahs tried their best to score as much as possible but the impressive Sharks made them work hard for every scoring opportunity. In the remaining
time, Cheetahs outside centre Corne Uys scored their bonus point try, which was followed by Ebersohn’s conversion and penalty in the 73rd minute of the game to take the scorecard reading 40 – 34.
Michalak scored his last penalty in the 78th minute of the game to take the scorecard reading 43 – 34, which remained the same at the end of the second half.
The bonus victory has put Sharks at the top of the Currie table with 14 points. Lions are trailing Sharks by a point at second position, while Western Provinces are third with their 12 points
coming from their three games of the tournament so far.
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