Graham
29-03-2009, 12:36
The Australian
March 29, 2009
Article from: Agence France-Presse
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THE Sharks have climbed three places to the top of the Super 14 table after an impressive 35-14 win over the Brumbies.
The Durban-based team led 14-7 at the break and a five-try haul earned them only their second bonus point in seven matches.
It was the Sharks' first home game after a four-week tour of Australasia, where they won three of four outings.
The Sharks have a three-point advantage over second-placed NSW Waratahs while the Chiefs lie third.
With a string of home matches to come, the Sharks are favoured to end the league phase in top place and secure a home semi-final.
For the Brumbies, who suffered a surprise defeat to the Lions last weekend, it was another disappointing outing which has left them 10th, 13 points adrift of the Sharks.
Victorious captain Johann Muller said it was important to maintain the momentum after their successful tour.
“I was especially happy with our second half showing as we put some phases together, built pressure and from that the tries came. It was a good team effort,” he said.
The Sharks dominated the early phases, with Rory Kockott and JP Pietersen missing opportunities to score before Pietersen opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a well-taken try after a turnover deep in Brumbies territory.
Minutes later Christian Leiliafano exploited a gaping hole in the Sharks' defence to score next to the posts for a converted try to level the scores, but the visitors would only get on to the scoreboard again late in the second half.
In between it was all Sharks, who scored a further four tries.
Fullback Stefan Terblanche ran in the Sharks' second try seven minutes from half-time after his forwards had won another turnover and straight after the resumption it was the turn of scrum-half Kockott to score.
He converted his try to give the 2007 runners-up a 21-7 lead.
The home side continued to heap pressure on the Australians and on 55 minutes flanker Jacques Botes went over after a quick free kick by Kockott for the bonus point and number eight Ryan Kankowski added a fifth try seven minutes from the final whistle.
The Brumbies' late consolation try came from replacement hooker Salesi Ma'afu and Mark Gerrard converted again.
SHARKS 35 (Jacques Botes, Ryan Kankowski, Rory Kockott, JP Pietersen, Stefan Terblanche tries Kockott 5 cons) BRUMBIES 14 (Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma'afu tries Mark Gerrard 2 cons) at ABSA Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).
AFP
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March 29, 2009
Article from: Agence France-Presse
:SharksLogo0760:
THE Sharks have climbed three places to the top of the Super 14 table after an impressive 35-14 win over the Brumbies.
The Durban-based team led 14-7 at the break and a five-try haul earned them only their second bonus point in seven matches.
It was the Sharks' first home game after a four-week tour of Australasia, where they won three of four outings.
The Sharks have a three-point advantage over second-placed NSW Waratahs while the Chiefs lie third.
With a string of home matches to come, the Sharks are favoured to end the league phase in top place and secure a home semi-final.
For the Brumbies, who suffered a surprise defeat to the Lions last weekend, it was another disappointing outing which has left them 10th, 13 points adrift of the Sharks.
Victorious captain Johann Muller said it was important to maintain the momentum after their successful tour.
“I was especially happy with our second half showing as we put some phases together, built pressure and from that the tries came. It was a good team effort,” he said.
The Sharks dominated the early phases, with Rory Kockott and JP Pietersen missing opportunities to score before Pietersen opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a well-taken try after a turnover deep in Brumbies territory.
Minutes later Christian Leiliafano exploited a gaping hole in the Sharks' defence to score next to the posts for a converted try to level the scores, but the visitors would only get on to the scoreboard again late in the second half.
In between it was all Sharks, who scored a further four tries.
Fullback Stefan Terblanche ran in the Sharks' second try seven minutes from half-time after his forwards had won another turnover and straight after the resumption it was the turn of scrum-half Kockott to score.
He converted his try to give the 2007 runners-up a 21-7 lead.
The home side continued to heap pressure on the Australians and on 55 minutes flanker Jacques Botes went over after a quick free kick by Kockott for the bonus point and number eight Ryan Kankowski added a fifth try seven minutes from the final whistle.
The Brumbies' late consolation try came from replacement hooker Salesi Ma'afu and Mark Gerrard converted again.
SHARKS 35 (Jacques Botes, Ryan Kankowski, Rory Kockott, JP Pietersen, Stefan Terblanche tries Kockott 5 cons) BRUMBIES 14 (Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma'afu tries Mark Gerrard 2 cons) at ABSA Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).
AFP
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