Leinster proved to strong in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship showing against the Cell C Sharks on Saturday evening when they ran out 54-34 victors in a highly-charged clash.
There were times when it appeared that the Cell C Sharks would upset the apple cart and indeed they were full value for money, but Leinster were just too strong in the second half when they raced ahead and built confidence, keeping the Cell C Sharks out of the game.
Leinster came out showing huge intent and enjoyed almost 100% possession in the early stages, their high intensity attack gaining the ultimate reward with a forward dominated effort from close in to get the first try of the game inside the opening five minutes.
Although the portents looked worrying, from their first attack of the game, the Cell C Sharks hit back in the perfect way, the forwards dominating at the maul before the ball went into the middle of the field, Boeta Chamberlain feeding Aphelele Fassi who ran the perfect line to score under the sticks, for Chamberlain to equalise a few minutes later.
Playing with the same level of ferocity, the Cell C Sharks pressured the log leaders at every turn and were rewarded with a penalty to go ahead at the end of the first quarter following a highly-charged attack.
However, Leinster struck back almost immediately with a well-worked attack of their own to score their second seven pointer to lead 14-10 as the game neared the half hour mark.
But a dominant scrum meant the Cell C Sharks were able to capitalise from the set-piece, the backline coming into play as the ball was sent along the line for Werner Kok to score in the corner and his team to take the lead once again, albeit by just one point with eight minutes of the absorbing half remaining.
Enjoying the space they were creating, the Cell C Sharks struck again, this time Thaakir Abrahams out wide to score the third try with the forwards having earlier dominated the collisions on attack.
Leinster’s response was immediate and devastating as they regathered possession soon after the kick-off and a cross-field kick found the wing in space. The conversion took the hosts into a one point lead with a minute of the half remaining.
There was still time for a thrilling finale as Leinster came within metres of scoring their fourth try, but excellent defensive work from Rohan Janse van Rensburg to effect a try-saving tackle, and then great work from Kok to earn a jackal penalty saw off the danger before the half-time whistle blew with the hosts leading 21-20 at the break.
After striking on the other side of half-time, the double either side of the breaksaw Leinster put some breathing space on the scoreboard with a strong pick and drive effort from their forwards as they took a 28-20 lead with half an hour remaining.
Thaakir Abrahams then showed spectacular magic as his solo effort brought the bonus point try, an incredible effort as he caught a high ball in midfield, then raced ahead, chipped forward and beat the defence to score a truly magnificent try, with Chamberlain converting from out wide to bring the Cell C Sharks right back into the game at 28-27 behind.
But once more Leinster struck back, hammering away at the Cell C Sharks tryline before the backs came into play and a chip to the wing for the fifth try, converted to restore the eight point lead.
With under 15 minutes remaining, Leinster once again showed great patience to score another try out wide, the forwards taking the ball through 15 phases before the ball went wide into space to push them into a 15 point lead following the conversion.
With their confidence through the roof, everything they tried came off and the boot was used effectively to get them out of their 22, upfield and then a grubber through to score again with 10 minutes to play, leading 49-22.
The Cell C Sharks weren’t finished yet, again the boot coming into play as Dylan Richardson ripped a ball loose, the turn-over was quickly exploited and the ball sent to Aphelele Fassi who chipped over the last line of defence and ran onto the ball to score a fifth try, the conversion taking the Durbanites to within 15 points with six minutes remaining.
With five minutes remaining and the Cell C Sharks reduced to 14 men for a high tackle, Leinster showed why they’re the tournament’s log leaders with a powerful maul from the lineout to score the try that took them over 50 points.
Ultimately, the second half intensity from the hosts proved enough for them to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition. The Cell C Sharks have secured 10 points on the road though in their first three outings of the season and will return home to Hollywoodbets Kings Park, determined to start their home matches on a positive note.