Cell C Sharks Remain Undefeated:
The Cell C Sharks made it two from two when they defeated the Jaguares from Argentina 19-15 in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday evening.
At times exhilarating and at others, frustrating, with some wonderfully attacking paasages of play put together but well countered by the visitors, both sides were looking to maintain a winning record this year.
Early pressure directly from the kick off gave the Cell C Sharks a good opportunity for points, Joe Pietersen getting his team on the scoreboard as early as the second minute with a well struck penalty after the Jaguares had infringed at the breakdown.
But within minutes the visitors struck back, wing Emiliano Boffelli beating the defence out wide for his team’s opening try and the lead.
Marcell Coetzee, at the back of a driving maul, was next on the scoreboard to take his team back into the lead, but Sánchez equalised with a long range penalty moments later.
The Cell C Sharks used the driving maul to great effect, scoring good territory each time they employed this effective tactic. A third advancing maul took them deep into the scoring zone before the Argentinian side managed to disrupt them, but a penalty soon afterwards allowed them to retake their lead with 10 minutes of the half remaining.
A fourth impressive maul was again brought down illegally, this time resulting in a yellow card. Jaco Peyper had further words with the Jaguares’ captain as the indiscipline continued to rise, and a second yellow card saw the visitors reduced to 13 men and a real opportunity for the home side to capitalise on the numbers advantage.
But it was the visitors who struck back, countering off turnover ball in their own 22 to score a long range try much against the run of play.
A good attacking opportunity was thwarted just before half-time allowing the Jaguares to take a narrow 15-13 lead at the break.
The scene was set for an intriguing second half following the early drama.
The two teams hammered away at each other for a good 10 minutes before Joe Pietersen put the Cell C Sharks back into the lead with his third penalty.
Director of Rugby Gary Gold had warned during the week how aggressively the Jaguares attacked the ball on the ground and this proved an effective ploy for the visitors, but frustrating for the home side who had numerous attacking forrays thwarted at the breakdown.
Neither side could manage to add to their scores until, with just over 10 minutes remaining, Pietersen nudged his team into a four point lead.
The Cell C Sharks appeared to be tightening the screws in an already tense and tightly contested clash, but with just four points separating the teams, the Jaguares were by no means down and out and kept the pressure on, forcing some strong, but admirable defence from the home team.
Ultimately, it wasn’t enough and sime sore bodies will reflect on a hard night’s work and four valuable log points gained at home.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks
Tries: Marcell Coetzee
Conversions: Joe Pietersen (1)
Penalties: Joe Pietersen (4)
Jaguares
Tries: Emiliano Boffelli, Santiago Cordero
Conversions: Nicolás Sánchez (1)
Penalties: Nicolás Sánchez (1)
The post Cell C Sharks Remain Undefeated appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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