In the second match Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Friday, the Hollywoodbets Sharks drew 17-17 against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
The Sharks could not use their ten scrum penalties and a late yellow card to beat their hosts. Taking into account the wet conditions, this was maybe a just result.
In extremely wet conditions, the Sharks dominated the early exchanges, and following ten minutes of play, Marvin Orie barged his way over the Dragons’ tryline. Jean Smith converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 07-00.
The Dragons started to claw their way back into the match and, following eight minutes of play, Aaron Wainwright broke off the back of a ruck and steamrolled past several Sharks supporters to score the Dragons' first try of the match. Tinus de Beer converted to level the scores 07-07.
Jean Smith converted a penalty minutes later to reclaim the lead for the Sharks 10-07.
With the defence of the Sharks falling apart, Angus O’Brien scored their second try from a first-phase ball as the defenders from Durban do not show any interest in defending. With twelve minutes still to play in the first half, the Dragons led 14-10 following the conversion by Tinus de Beer.
The Sharks returned to a forward-dominant gameplan, and Vincent Tshituka crashed over from the back of a collapsed maul to retake the lead for the Sharks 17-14 following the conversion by Smith.
Following twenty-five minutes of an arm wrestle since the start of the second half, Tinus de Beer converted a penalty to level the scores at 17-17 with fifteen minutes of play in the first half.\
The second half was an arm wrestle, and no points were scored by either team.
Teams
Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien (cc), 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Harrison Keddie, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Ben Carter (cc), 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Rob Hunt, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Wyn Jones. Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Che Hope, 22 Fine Inisi, 23 Huw Anderson.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Hakeem Kunene.