cyRil
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http://cyrilsplace.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/sharks-maul-frustrated-force/
Western Force 12-39 Sharks
The Sharks made it 3 wins from 3 and left the Western Force still searching for their first victory of the SupeRugby season following a feisty and eventful encounter in Perth on Saturday night.
It was a score-line that the Force perhaps did not deserve, after showing great determination and work-rate throughout the match – but the Sharks' superior skill levels and the advantage of an extra man for most of the game following Rory Sidey's early red card meant the result was never really in doubt.
The bonus point win takes the Sharks to the top of the South African SupeRugby conference, with tries from Springboks Odwa Ndungane, Bismarck du Plessis and Willem Alberts, lock Steven Sykes and promising fly-half Patrick Lambie; whilst the Force could muster only 4 consolation penalties through Wallaby starlet James O'Connor in reply.
It was one of these penalties that put the Force into an early lead – O'Connor smashing a 51 metre kick through the sticks with plenty of room to spare. 3-0 with 10 minutes played.
Ndungane opens the scoring for the Sharks
This lead did not last long, as an opportunistic Sharks effort brought the first try of the night. The Force's talismanic openside David Pocock won a good turnover within his own 22, however his team-mates lack of control and composure led to a fumbled ball which was pounced upon by Sharks wing Ndungane, who hacked the loose ball forward and dropped on it over the line for an easy 5-pointer.
To add insult to injury Pocock was then helped off with what looked like a nasty knee injury; and when Sidey – an early replacement for centre Mitch Inman, who suffered a dislocated elbow – was sent for a very early bath for a spear tackle on Ndungane, the Force were left with a huge mountain to climb.
Every precaution was taken after the dangerous tackle on the Sharks winger
From the resultant penalty the Sharks kicked to touch, looking to capitalise instantly on their one-man advantage. At the line-out the visitors collected and drove their pack with menace and purpose before crashing over the line with Bismarck du Plessis in control of the pill. Lambie converted expertly to make it 14-3 to the Sharks with 20 minutes played.
Depsite their obvious disadvantage the Force were not disheartened and continued to play an open and adventurous brand of rugby. With free-flowing fare on display from both sides and with 8 turn-overs a piece after a quarter of the game played the crowd at the Subiaco Oval could not complain that they weren't getting their money's worth.
They were given even more to celebrate soon after, when a trip from Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo and cynical play on the floor by their forwards gave O'Connor two penalty opportunities to narrow the gap, which he took; 14-9 Sharks with 10 minutes to half-time.
A rare Alberts mistake gave a further chance to the Force close to the Sharks' line. But with their fans behind them and momentum building it was the unlikely figure of Force captain Nathan Sharpe who knocked-on, coughing up possession and the possibility of 7 points.
Conversely, the men from Natal were not so profligate with the ball in their hands. Attritional and patient forward play led to an Mvovo break down the left flank. With the winger showing great pace he out ran two defenders before flinging the ball back inside hopefully, where a fortuitous bobble saw the ball bounce into the grateful hands of second row Sykes who dived over to make it 19-9 at the interval.
Sykes celebrates his side's 3rd try of the night
After an early Lambie penalty, Mvovo was in the thick of the action again immediately after the re-start, but a forward pass and offside in midfield denied the newly-capped Bok the chance of chalking up two tries.
The Force were playing bravely, with the forwards giving their all in difficult circumstances. However, their night was epitomised by the call to go for touch rather than 3 points when the team were awarded a penalty 1 metre out from the Sharks whitewash. At the line-out the ball was won and provided on a plate for stand-off O'Connor who fumbled the ball, allowing the away side to hack the ball to half-way and safety. A bold call to go for the try, but one that ultimately back-fired leaving the Force back at square one.
There was no such dilly-dallying from the Sharks, who showed professionalism and a clinical eye to take the chances they were given all night. With 10 minutes to play a dominant Sharks scrum provided the platform for the ball to be whipped out at the base, and the impressive power of Willem Alberts was too much for full-back Cameron Shepard to contain as the back-rower marched over for his team's bonus point try. Lambie adding the extras again to make it 29-12.
The young fly-half showed composure and control in the Sharks' romp
A miserable night for the Force was compounded further when aggressive wing, Nick Cummins, was sent to the bin for a high tackle; following another superb long-range penalty effort from Lambie.
The home side had clearly given up the ghost, and it was a mere formality for Lambie to step and evade several defenders in the last minute to score his side's 5th and final try of the night – his side romping to victory 39-12, and completing the first phase of their 4-match tour with distinction.
Star-man: Patrick Lambie – Bismarck du Plessis put in a colossal effort up front, but the steady-handed game management of the 20-year-old was a joy to behold.
5-metre flop: Rory Sidey – Only on for a matter of minutes, but the centre's clumsy tackle cost his side dearly.
Western Force 12-39 Sharks
The Sharks made it 3 wins from 3 and left the Western Force still searching for their first victory of the SupeRugby season following a feisty and eventful encounter in Perth on Saturday night.
It was a score-line that the Force perhaps did not deserve, after showing great determination and work-rate throughout the match – but the Sharks' superior skill levels and the advantage of an extra man for most of the game following Rory Sidey's early red card meant the result was never really in doubt.
The bonus point win takes the Sharks to the top of the South African SupeRugby conference, with tries from Springboks Odwa Ndungane, Bismarck du Plessis and Willem Alberts, lock Steven Sykes and promising fly-half Patrick Lambie; whilst the Force could muster only 4 consolation penalties through Wallaby starlet James O'Connor in reply.
It was one of these penalties that put the Force into an early lead – O'Connor smashing a 51 metre kick through the sticks with plenty of room to spare. 3-0 with 10 minutes played.
Ndungane opens the scoring for the Sharks
This lead did not last long, as an opportunistic Sharks effort brought the first try of the night. The Force's talismanic openside David Pocock won a good turnover within his own 22, however his team-mates lack of control and composure led to a fumbled ball which was pounced upon by Sharks wing Ndungane, who hacked the loose ball forward and dropped on it over the line for an easy 5-pointer.
To add insult to injury Pocock was then helped off with what looked like a nasty knee injury; and when Sidey – an early replacement for centre Mitch Inman, who suffered a dislocated elbow – was sent for a very early bath for a spear tackle on Ndungane, the Force were left with a huge mountain to climb.
Every precaution was taken after the dangerous tackle on the Sharks winger
From the resultant penalty the Sharks kicked to touch, looking to capitalise instantly on their one-man advantage. At the line-out the visitors collected and drove their pack with menace and purpose before crashing over the line with Bismarck du Plessis in control of the pill. Lambie converted expertly to make it 14-3 to the Sharks with 20 minutes played.
Depsite their obvious disadvantage the Force were not disheartened and continued to play an open and adventurous brand of rugby. With free-flowing fare on display from both sides and with 8 turn-overs a piece after a quarter of the game played the crowd at the Subiaco Oval could not complain that they weren't getting their money's worth.
They were given even more to celebrate soon after, when a trip from Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo and cynical play on the floor by their forwards gave O'Connor two penalty opportunities to narrow the gap, which he took; 14-9 Sharks with 10 minutes to half-time.
A rare Alberts mistake gave a further chance to the Force close to the Sharks' line. But with their fans behind them and momentum building it was the unlikely figure of Force captain Nathan Sharpe who knocked-on, coughing up possession and the possibility of 7 points.
Conversely, the men from Natal were not so profligate with the ball in their hands. Attritional and patient forward play led to an Mvovo break down the left flank. With the winger showing great pace he out ran two defenders before flinging the ball back inside hopefully, where a fortuitous bobble saw the ball bounce into the grateful hands of second row Sykes who dived over to make it 19-9 at the interval.
Sykes celebrates his side's 3rd try of the night
After an early Lambie penalty, Mvovo was in the thick of the action again immediately after the re-start, but a forward pass and offside in midfield denied the newly-capped Bok the chance of chalking up two tries.
The Force were playing bravely, with the forwards giving their all in difficult circumstances. However, their night was epitomised by the call to go for touch rather than 3 points when the team were awarded a penalty 1 metre out from the Sharks whitewash. At the line-out the ball was won and provided on a plate for stand-off O'Connor who fumbled the ball, allowing the away side to hack the ball to half-way and safety. A bold call to go for the try, but one that ultimately back-fired leaving the Force back at square one.
There was no such dilly-dallying from the Sharks, who showed professionalism and a clinical eye to take the chances they were given all night. With 10 minutes to play a dominant Sharks scrum provided the platform for the ball to be whipped out at the base, and the impressive power of Willem Alberts was too much for full-back Cameron Shepard to contain as the back-rower marched over for his team's bonus point try. Lambie adding the extras again to make it 29-12.
The young fly-half showed composure and control in the Sharks' romp
A miserable night for the Force was compounded further when aggressive wing, Nick Cummins, was sent to the bin for a high tackle; following another superb long-range penalty effort from Lambie.
The home side had clearly given up the ghost, and it was a mere formality for Lambie to step and evade several defenders in the last minute to score his side's 5th and final try of the night – his side romping to victory 39-12, and completing the first phase of their 4-match tour with distinction.
Star-man: Patrick Lambie – Bismarck du Plessis put in a colossal effort up front, but the steady-handed game management of the 20-year-old was a joy to behold.
5-metre flop: Rory Sidey – Only on for a matter of minutes, but the centre's clumsy tackle cost his side dearly.
