The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV closed out the first part of their Carling Currie Cup campaign with an emphatic victory and now get set for the final phase of the tournament’s pool stages.
Defeating the Suzuki Griquas 40-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Sunday afternoon was a real statement of intent from the Durban side, with head coach JP Pietersen’s prophetic words, “give us time” proving true.
“You can see the growth in this young team in the way they performed,” he explained after his team had downed Griquas. “It’s a great result from this young team and probably our best complete performance we’ve had this season.
“I’m really pleased for the team, this was their first home win and getting a bonus point in the process.”
The team showed glimpses of their capabilities early on, but short of experience at this level proved to be their undoing. But as they found their collective footing, so those glimpses and moments turned into minutes and phases, and on Sunday, a complete 40 minute first half with a second half performance that wasn’t far behind.
“We had some close results in the early part of our campaign, but it was a build-up of what we’re capable of producing. With a young group, you’re going to get a dip in concentration at times, both between games and moments.
“What I like about this group is that they learn quickly and they bounce back immediately which is exciting for a coach, seeing them put their hands up.”
Much of how things went right in this game when they may have gone wrong earlier in the campaign was down to self-belief in a team where the average age is just 22.
“I always say, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,’ imagine if they could have started the Currie Cup like this,” Pietersen enthused.
“It’s exciting for the union and the future to see what these young players can do, to bounce back from last week’s draw to deliver a complete performance on your home ground. It shows that some of these young guns were born to win games and they have a very bright future at the Sharks.”
A bright future certainly beckons for Junior Springbok hooker Ethan Bester who was a late inclusion in the Hollywoodbets Sharks team to play Griquas, but went on to produce a Carling Currie Cup Champion of the Match performance.
“Ethan got the opportunity to start with Dan Jooste pulling out and he showed his potential in this game.
“I must also give credit to Nick Hatton our captain, he’s a youngster but he leads well, keeps calm and with his leadership, Ethan Hooker was able to express himself. So massive credit to Nick for his leadership.”
As far as coaching goes, that first half performance could not be faulted and demonstrates without fear of contradiction that this young team is on the right path.
“As a group, that’s what we ask for, we wanted a fast start and to show fight and belief. Massive credit to the leaders, they were hard on setting high standards during the week and they guided their team-mates with a clear pathway on the processes.
“I think that was our best 40 minutes as a team and we just need to work on our second half going forward.”
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will now play Toyota Free State and then DHL Western Province (both away), before ending the pool stages with home matches against the Novavit Griffons and Vodacom Blue Bulls in the cross-group round.
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Match Report: Spectacular Sharks Ground Griquas:
The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV were in near sublime form as they secured a rousing six try 40-21 Carling Carrie Cup victory over the visiting Suzuki Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been a season of learning, but on the evidence of this performance and the outcome of the game, this is a Hollywoodbets Sharks side that has really developed into a competitive side.
An exciting, patient and focussed start to the game delivered the rewards when Jaden Hendrikse, back from a long term injury, dummied and dived over after his forwards had initiated a series of pick and drives, having dominated the early exchanges. Lionel Cronje converted for a 7-nil lead in the seventh minute of the game.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks continued to dominate possession and territory, Griquas reduced to a defensive role in the game as they had to throw all their energies into preventing another try. But the dam wall finally broke after 20 minutes, Hakeem Kunene running the perfect line to score after a sustained effort from the forwards to hammer away before the defence was found wanting. Cronje converted for a 14-nil lead and the home side were well in control of the game in every facet.
Five minutes later, Eduan Keyter went over, a free kick at the scrum providing the quick option to attack out wide and there was no hesitation as the wing powered his way for try number three, with Cronje adding the extras for a 21-0 lead.
With rare opportunities on attack, the visitors finally managed to craft a score after a break in midfield and scored their opening try as the game headed for the half hour mark, cutting the lead to 14 points with just over 10 minutes of the entertaining half remaining.
Their joy was short-lived as they lost the ball at the kick-off following serious pressure from the chasers and the ball was quickly recycled with ever-present flank Jannes Potgieter going over for the bonus point try, handing Cronje an easy conversion which he made successfully for a 28-7 lead.
Griquas managed to build some pressure towards the closure of the half, but in their haste under pressure, threw a loose pass in the midfield and Jurenzo Julius showed a clean pair of heels as he grabbed the ball and sprinted to the tryline for try number five, converted by Cronje for a well-deserved 35-7 half-time lead.
Griquas were battling with the scraps they had, but finally managed a good try, a midfield break opening up the attack as they surged ahead for their second try, together with the conversion making it a 21-point game.
The visitors struck again, this time taking the ball from a halfway line lineout across the field and then rounding the defence to score their third try with the final quarter left to play. The successful conversion cut the lead to 14 points.
The impressive SA Under 20 hooker, 19-year old Ethan Bester, broke out of a rolling maul to score his team’s sixth try after an understanding from the Hollywoodbets Sharks not to let up the pressure against a resurgent Griquas’ team and at 40-21 up with 17 minutes remaining, it was the best response at the right time.
With the game headed for its conclusion, Griquas took a sustained attack through 19 phases as they chased a result that was beyond them. It was brave, but ultimately thwarted by a side that has been growing in stature, confidence and belief and demonstrated how far this young team has come in the tournament.
The post Match Report: Spectacular Sharks Ground Griquas appeared first on The Sharks Durban.
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