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London Calling Podcast Yana Bolder
The Sharks XV were denied a hard-fought home victory after the Lions produced a superb late attacking move to snatch a 22–22 draw in their Currie Cup round six clash at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
The Sharks had looked to have done enough to claim the spoils when Meno Barnard crossed for their fourth try in the 76th minute, but the Lions showed impressive composure under pressure to work Gilermo Mentoe over for the equaliser after the hooter.
Lions flyhalf Sam Francis then had the chance to win the match for the visitors and claim all four points, but his conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the teams to share the spoils.
The result will do little to boost either side’s hopes of reaching the Currie Cup semi-finals, with both teams having to settle for two points from a contest that only really came to life after half-time.
A host of changes to both starting line-ups contributed to an error-strewn opening, with Francis’ penalty the only score during the first 30 minutes.
Sharks captain Ross Braude eventually got the home side on the scoreboard in the 31st minute, burrowing over after a powerful rolling maul to give the Sharks a 5–3 lead.
The Lions pack had enjoyed the better of the scrums, however, and continued to use their set-piece advantage as the platform for attack. Their pressure was rewarded when forward Vuyo Gwiji powered over, giving the visitors a 10–5 lead at half-time.
The Sharks responded emphatically after the break, scoring twice in the opening stages of the second half. Liam van Wyk peeled off another lineout maul to score before Luan Giliomee produced an excellent cut-out pass to release Christie Grobbelaar in the corner. Tim Swiel added the conversion to the latter try as the Sharks surged into a 17–10 lead.
The Lions hit back in the 54th minute, with hooker Armand Combrinck finishing off another lineout maul. Francis added the conversion to level matters at 17–17 and set up a dramatic final quarter.
The Sharks regained the initiative and appeared to have done enough when Barnard crossed late for their fourth try, but Mentoe’s last-gasp response ensured neither side could claim the knockout blow.
Point-scorers:
Sharks XV 22 (5) – Tries: Ross Braude, Liam van Wyk, Christie Grobbelaar, Meno Barnard. Conversion: Tim Swiel.
Lions 22 (10) – Tries: Vuyo Gwiji, Armand Combrinck, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalty: Francis.
Two masked gunmen shot world boxing champion Zolani Tete dead outside his home in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape on Friday night as he sat in his car waiting for the gate to open.Police spokeswoman Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said police were investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after the shooting at NU17 at about 6.30pm.She said the 38-year-old had been arriving at his house when two armed men […]
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