The Hollywoodbets Sharks were their own worst enemy against Leinster in Durban on Saturday night, as they squandered a few possible try-scoring chances, which would have surely won them the Vodacom URC game in challenging conditions where errors stood out like a sore thumb. This eventually saw them suffer a disappointing 10-7 defeat against the log leaders.
In fact, they could have even tied the game for two bonus points had they opted for a penalty goal as opposed to kicking for touch in the last play of the game.
Fortunately for the KwaZulu-Natalians, they still managed to hold onto their fourth spot on the standings, but they will have to deliver the desired results in the last few rounds to remain ahead of the chasing pack for a possible home quarterfinal.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will rue their domination without scoring in the first 10 minutes when they were just a few metres from the Leinster tryline for most of this period with discipline, handling errors, and being pinned offside costing them despite a surfeit of possession.
Trailing 5-0 at half time, the Hollywoodbets Sharks dominated possession but ultimately paid the price for several handling errors and numerous turnovers.
Leinster scored first late in the first half to enter the sheds by five points up after Jaden Hendrikse was yellow-carded for cynical play. The Irish stretched their lead to 10-0 early in the second half, but Bongi Mbonambi cancelled this out in the 51st minute to take their deficit to only three points.
Unfortunately for the hosts they had another three possible chances to take the lead, but they were unable to convert them into points, which resulted in them being on the unfavourable end of the scoreboard.
Scorers
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Try: Bongi Mbonambi. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse.
Leinster: Tries: Henry McErlean, Scott Penney.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.
Leinster Rugby: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 Andrew Osborne, 10 Ciarán Frawley, 9 Fintan Gunne, 8 Max Deegan, 7 Will Connors, 6 Alex Soroka, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 Diarmuid Manga, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 John McKee, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Rory McGuire, 19 Alan Spicer, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Oliver Coffey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Henry McErlean,