It was a titanic tussle on Saturday against the Emirates Lions, with the Cell C Sharks putting their bodies on the line and showing immense character and brute determination, but for a bit of bad luck and an unfortunate period where decisions didn’t go our way, the Lions came away with a narrow victory.
In summing up the game, head coach Robert du Preez admitted afterwards, very succinctly, that, “It was a tough game.”
After dominating the early periods, pressuring the normally cool Lions and forcing numerous errors, mistakes and disciplinary lapses, we had enjoyed the better of them on the field and scoreboard.
But one incident, the carding of Etienne Oosthuizen for a second high tackle, turned the game on its head and gave the Lions the impetus to get their flow going.
“I didn’t think those two were the only incidents like that in the game, but they were costly.
The yellow card cost us 14 points, that tells a story. That yellow card was so marginal, it asks the question whether or not we should review every incidence of foul play in the game.
“I didn’t think those two were the only incidents like that in the game, but they were costly.”
“We had chances right to the end, I don’t think that was the turning point but it definitely contributed to the result at the end of the day.”
Although it was a very determined team effort, one player who really stood out was Curwin Bosch who continues to show a level of maturity way beyond his years. He converted penalties from all over the pack and never once looked rattled in a pressure-cooker game.
“Curwin played very well,” said du Preez. “He showed that he has big match temperament.”
Ultimately, the coach felt that it was only fair to commend his team for their performance.
“I am proud of the guys, this is a team with a lot of fighting spirit who will play right to the end. But I’m not happy with our discipline. To concede so many penalties hurt us.
The intra conference loss to the Lions is a setback, particularly as it gives a team like the Jaguares an opportunity to pull ahead as well as allowing the Lions to dominate at the top.
“It’s a tough group we’re in and Jaguares the at home next week will be a big game. But we have to really go for it this weekend then we have a break after that; then we have eight games left. There is still a lot of rugby to be played.”
Du Preez admitted that the Cell C Sharks will take a lot of confidence out of the team’s performance for their home games after only losing narrowly – away – to arguably the best South African side in the competition.
“Yes, definitely,” he said in response to that point being raised. “We are really looking forward to playing at home, there are plenty of games left to be played.”
The post Oh So Close appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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