Currie Cup: Lively Sharks do the job in Kimberley

A tenacious Griquas side were under the whip for most of the game as they succumbed to a 22-40 defeat at the hands of the Sharks in their Currie Cup match in Kimberley on Friday evening.

Apart from being under early pressure when Griquas opened the scoring in the third minute with a try by centre Kyle Steyn, who made the initial break and then received the ball back from fullback AJ Coertzen via an outrageous overhead pass, the Sharks looked in control as they led 19-7 at halftime, a lead they stretched to 33-10 on the hour mark.

The Sharks used their rolling maul to get on level terms, inside centre Marius Louw scoring, and then their ability to strike from brokenfield ball saw them punish Griquas as outside centre Jeremy Ward went over for their second try, after scrumhalf Louis Schreuder countered off a kick and fullback Garth April and flank Keegan Daniel used their excellent footwork to take defenders out of the game.

Their lineout drive contributed again just before halftime as prop Ross Geldenhuys scored and the Sharks then took firm control of the game as Louw went over for his second try, straight through two defenders, in the 49^th minute.

Who was the star in this match?

Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder was a well-deserved Man of the Match as it was he who really controlled the Sharks attack. Whether kicking, breaking or offering shrewd support play, he consistently made good decisions and his fingerprints were on many of their attacks.

Key moments and themes

• With a 26-10 lead and the four-try bonus point in the bag after 50 minutes, Sharks coach Robert du Preez was able to bring on several of his young back-up players and they also impressed. Debutant wing Tristan Blewett pounced on an intercept to set up a well-deserved try for Daniel, after great support work by Schreuder, and was a real livewire when he came on to replace veteran Odwa Ndungane.
• Griquas were not disgraced and they did not give up, replacement wing Alvin Brandt, who somehow managed not to put a foot into touch, and substitute hooker Wilmar Arnoldi scored tries in the final quarter to cut the gap to 22-33. Unfortunately the home side were not able to take the restart, leading to Ward’s second try of the match after the impressive Louw pounced and wing S’bu Nkosi provided strong support.
• The Sharks have now won eight games in a row and will have their last three matches at the comfort of home. They have collected bonus points in seven of those eight wins.
• With the Sharks now enjoying a 14-point lead at the top of the log, the smart money is certainly on them to host the Currie Cup final as they desperately try to win their first trophy since the 2013 Currie Cup.

Point scorers

Griquas – Tries: Kyle Steyn, Alvin Brandt, Wilmar Arnoldi. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Penalty: Whitehead.

Sharks – Tries: Marius Louw (2), Jeremy Ward (2), Ross Geldenhuys, Keegan Daniel. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5).