The Cell C Sharks once again were happy to do what was needed to ground out a win against Leinster in Durban. A workmanlike performance by the Banana Boys saw them scoring a deserved 28-23 win earning five log points for their efforts.
16:13 Scott Penny scored Leinster's first try following an overthrow by the Sharks in a lineout five meters from the Sharks tryline. (00-07)
19:15 The Sharks "hit" bag immediately after Makazole Mapimpi intercepted and ran a good fourty meters to score. (07-07)
20:00 An arm wrestle between two teams that were willing to spread the ball wide at every opportunity that presents itself. It was a tight contest at that stage with both teams getting some great opportunities.
27:10 Ciarán Frawley converted a penalty for Leinster. (07-10)
35:20 Tommy O’Brien collected a brilliant cross-kick to score Leinster's second try. (07-17)
38:52 Aphelele Fassi's brilliance gave Jaden Hendrikse enough space to score under the sticks. (14-17)
40:00 An arm wrestle between two teams that were willing to spread the ball wide at every opportunity that presents itself. It was a tight contest at that stage with both teams getting some great opportunities.
42:40 Ciarán Frawley converted a second penalty for Leinster. (14-20)
47:42 Bongo Mbonambi scored from the back of a 5m lineout maul. (21-20)
52:04 Ciarán Frawley converted his third penalty. (21-23)
60:00 The Sharks' forwards are starting to dominate giving a great platform to their backs to attack from. A definite change in momentum with a shift towards the home team is evident.
64:30 Phepsi Buthelezi picked up a ball from the back of the scrum and bulldozed his way over for the Sharks' bonus-point try. (28-23)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Makazole Mapimpi, Jaden Hendrikse, Bongi Mbonambi, Phepsi Buthelezi. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (4).
Leinster: Tries: Scott Penny, Tommy O’Brien. Conversions: Ciarán Frawley (2). Penalties: Ciarán Frawley (2).
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phendulani Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Jeandré Labuschagne, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Henry Chamberlain.
Leinster Rugby: 15. Chris Cosgrave, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Ciarán Frawley, 11. Rory O’Loughlin, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Nick McCarthy, 8. Max Deegan, 7. Scott Penny, 6. Rhys Ruddock (c), 5. Jack Dunne, 4. Brian Deeny, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 2. John McKee, 1. Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16. Lee Barrett, 17. Peter Dooley, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Josh Murphy, 20. Alex Soroka, 21. Cormac Foley, 22. David Hawkshaw, 23. Martin Moloney.
