The Cell C Sharks had their sights set firmly on a fourth successive victory and leapt to the top four of the standings to keep alive their aspirations of finishing the league stages in the top two after they beat Connacht 41-21
The Cell C Sharks had a strong start, however, as the half continued Connacht slowly but surely took control of the game and scored two unanswered tries during the second quarter of the match to lead 21-10 at the break. The Sharks came out in the second half and took the game by its neck and scored twenty unanswered points.
08:03 Conor Fitzgerald converted a penalty for the visitors. (00-03).
13:20 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty. (03-03)
20:20 Conor Fitzgerald converted a second penalty. (06-03)
23:14 John Porch (Connacht) was sent off with a yellow card.
24:01 Gerbrandt Grobler scored from the back of a 5m lineout maul. (10-06)
26:29 Connor Thurnbury blocked a kick from the Sharks' scrumhalf and collected the ball to score Connacht's first try. (10-11)
34:20 Conor Fitzgerald converted his third penalty. (10-14)
35:33 Caolin Blade scored Connacht's second try of the match. (10-21)
40:00 The Cell C Sharks had a strong start, however, as the half continued Connacht slowly but surely took control of the game and scored two unanswered tries during the second quarter of the match.
44:28 Marius Louw used his power to cross the Connacht tryline after great work by Grant Williams. (17-21)
48:28 Mbongeni Mbonambi scored the Sharks' third try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (24-21)
53:12 Gerbrandt Grobler forced his way over once again for his second try and the bonus point try for the Sharks. (31-21)
73:20 Curwin Bosch converted another penalty for the Sharks. (34-21)
76:00 Henco Venter scored the Sharks' fifth try.(41-21)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Gerbrandt Grobler (2), Marius Louw, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Henco Venter. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5). Penalty: Curwin Bosch (2)
Connacht: Try: Connor Thornbury, Caolin Blade. Conversions: Conor Fitzgerald. Penalties: Conor Fitzgerald (3)
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.
Connacht: 15. Mack Hansen, 14. John Porch, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Tom Daly, 11. Alex Wootton, 10. Conor Fitzgerald, 9. Caolin Blade, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. Conor Oliver, 6. Cian Prendergast, 5. Leva Fifita, 4. Gavin Thornbury, 3. Finlay Bealham, 2. Dave Heffernan, 1. Denis Buckley. Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Niall Murray, 20. Oisín Dowling, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Jack Carty, 23. Tiernan O’Halloran.