The Sharks continued their dominance in the Absa Under-21 Provincial Championship this past weekend as they registered convincing victories to remain ahead of the pack.
The Sharks started their clash against Border with a blaze as they crossed the tryline six tries in 23 minutes, which placed the visitors under immense pressure from the outset. Border, however, fought back shortly before half time with a try by Jan Botha to add to an earlier penalty by Angus Cleophas. But with the team trailing 40-8, they entered the break knowing that it would take a massive effort to overturn the deficit.
The Sharks continued to breach Border’s porous defence after the break and added another five tries to their tally, which shut Border out of the match completely. With the victory wrapped up, the Durban side let their guard down in the closing minutes, which allowed Border to score two consolation tries in the last three minutes to take their total to 20 points.
Scorers:
- The Sharks 71 (40) – Alcino Izaacs (2), Andre Esterhuizen, Garath Meikle (2), Jacques Taylor, Khaya Majola, Kotaro Matsushima, Robert du Preez, Stefan Ungerer, Tyler Fisher. Conversions: Duncan Campbell (2), Robert du Preez (6).
- Border 20 (8) – Jan Botha, Leroy Afrika, Shaun Nieuwenhuyzen. Conversion: Shaun Nieuwenhuyzen. Penalty: Angus Cleophas.
Absa Under-21 Provincial Championship log:
- DHL Western Province – 29
- Vodacom Blue Bulls – 25
- The Sharks U21 – 25
- Toyota Free State – 19
- MTN Golden Lions U21 – 16
- Leopards – 7
- Border – 1
