Hollywoodbets Sharks XV Currie Cup head coach Mike Vowles remains deeply optimistic about his squad's trajectory despite their 36-28 coastal derby defeat to the DHL Stormers XXIII. He firmly believes his young group is "close to turning the corner" and clicking into a winning outfit.
Vowles rued missed execution on either side of the half-time whistle, highlighting a dropped ball over the line and a TMO-disallowed try.
“If we’d nailed those, there could have been a 14-point swing in the game, which would have shifted the momentum our way.”
He explained how the timing of the missed opportunities deflated the team.
“If you score just before half-time, you always go into the break feeling positive. Missing that opportunity took away a bit of momentum. Then, obviously, we had the try disallowed straight after half-time.”
Despite back-to-back away defeats, Vowles is urging his team to maintain confidence.
“I just said to the team in the change room that we’ve got to believe the momentum will swing in our favour. We’ve been highly competitive in all three games and, if one or two things go our way, the result is different.”
The Sharks have struggled to close out tight matches late in the second half.
“In all three matches we’ve been competitive until the last quarter, and then having to chase the game obviously makes it difficult. I do feel we’re close.”
He noted that the newly assembled group needs time to gel.
“It’s still a relatively new group. I know we’re three weeks in, but the more we play together and the more time we spend together, I believe things will turn. I’m incredibly proud of the group and the way they keep fighting for the full 80 minutes.”