The Cell C Sharks hosted the Sigma Lions today at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban. The Sharks started like a house on fire, however, the URC laden Lions came back with their dominant forwards to win 38-29 in a scrappy game.
The Sharks were in the lead with 10-00 after just ten minutes whereafter the Lions enjoyed their fair share of the action to go into the lead after nineteen minutes of play with 14-10.
The second quarter of the match did not see much action before the yellow card of Sanele Nohamba of the Lions whereafter the Sharks scored two good tries from the back of lineout mauls. The Sharks deservedly in the lead by 24-14. The second half was a very scrappy affair with the Lions' forwards earning two penalty tries and deservedly ended this game in the lead.
02:00 Joaquin Bonilla converted an early penalty for the hosts. (03-00)
05:13 Thembelani Bholi scored the first try for the Sharks from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (10-00)
10:22 Henco van Wyk scored the ball after some personal brilliance by the young man. (10-07)
19:01 Turnover after turnover after turnover, with Henco van Wyk scoring his second try of the day. (10-14)
20:00 The match unfortunately has already degraded into an all-action, no defence and no structure event.
36:00 Sanele Nohaamba (Lions) was shown a yellow card.
36:45 Jason Alexander scored the Sharks' second try on his debut. (17-14)
40:16 Jason Alexander scored his second try after breaking away off the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (22-14)
40:00 The second quarter of the match did not see much action before the yellow card of Sanele Nohamba of the Lions whereafter the Sharks scored two good tries from the back of lineout mauls. The Sharks deservedly in the lead by 22-14.
46:06 A penalty try was awarded to the Lions after a dominant scrum by the visitors. (22-21)
52:53 A second penalty try was awarded to the Lions after a dominant scrum by the visitors. (22-28)
55:52 Ruben Schoeman barges over the tryline for the Lions' 5th try. (22-35)
59:10 Brilliant work by the Sharks' winger Marnus Potgieter to score the Sharks' fourth try. (29-35)
60:00 The Lions used their pack of forwards to dominate the match, unfortunately, the match degraded into much of nothing?
72:00 Tiaan Swanepoel converted a penalty for the Lions. (29-38)
80:00 Joaquin Bonilla converted a penalty for the hosts. (32-38)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Thembelani Bholi, Jason Alexander (2), Hermanus Potgieter. Conversions: Joaquin Bonilla (3). Penalties: Joaquin Bonilla (2).
Sigma Lions: Tries: Henco van Wyk (2), penalty try (2), Ruben Schoeman. Conversions: Tiaan Swanepoel. Penalty: Tiaan Swanepoel.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Nevaldo Fleurs, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Joaquin Bonilla, 9. Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 7. Jeandre Labuschagne, 6. James Venter (c), 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Thembelani Bholi, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Jason Alexander, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Jacques Marais, 17. Kwezi Mona, 18. Keagan Glade, 19. OJ Noa, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Geraldo Jaars, 22. Jordan Chait, 23. Siviwe Zondani.
Sigma Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Matt More, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Tiaan Swanepoel, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Francke Horn, 7. Emmanuel Tshituka, 6. Vincent Tshituka, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Morne Brandon, 1. JP Smith. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Jarod Cairns, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Andre Warner, 22. Jordon Hendrikse, 23. Wandisile Simelane.