The Cell C Sharks were simply outstanding with a defensive effort that held out a late charge from Toyota Free State in their Currie Cup clash to run out 24-17 victors in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon.
It was a game in which the Cell C Sharks led from start to finish, but they had to contend with a home team that never gave up. Nor did the Cell C Sharks in what was an entertaining and high-paced match.
An indisciplined first half cost the hosts dearly, the nine penalties to one they conceded allowed the Cell C Sharks to build and exert pressure and their 17-nil lead at half-time was punishment against Free State’s enthusiasm, but lack of composure, something that has been a hallmark of their play this season.
The Cell C Sharks opened the scoring with an excellent break from captain James Venter who wasn’t held in the tackle in the midfield, he made plenty of metres before offloading to Fez Mbatha who added more yardage before sending Tinotenda Mavesere into space and there was no stopping the big man and Lionel Cronje had no trouble converting.
Cronje punished Free State’s poor discipline in front of their poles to extend the lead to 10 points on the half hour and just shy of the half-time whistle, a strong maul sent Mbatha over for the second try, and the humiliation of a yellow card for the home side. Cronje made no mistake and the Cell C Sharks were full value for their 17-nil led at the break.
Despite having lost their eighthman to the sin-bin, Free State struck first in the second half, a quick lineout move that caught the defence out and they were on the scoreboard.
Corne Rahl struck back within a minute, Free State unable to secure the kick-off and the tall lock eluded the defensive efforts of three players to score. However, the TMO ruled there was a knock-on in the contest and the try was over-ruled.
The Cell C Sharks lost a player to a yellow card, also defending the line as Free State struck again with their second try, the conversion good and the lead cut to five points with the final quarter left to play.
Marco de Witt scored his first try in his senior career, a strong run and enough composure not to panic as he headed for the corner and had the legs, strength and stretch to make good at a crucial juncture in the game when Free State were starting to get their attacking game together. Cronje converted and with a little over 10 minutes of play remaining, the Cell C Sharks had a 12 point lead, ahead 24-12.
Free State struck gold with a maul try a few minutes later as the game continued to hang in the balance since they had scored their first try earlier in the half, but the conversion was rushed and the lead was now seven points in the Cell C Sharks’ favour.
Free State continued to hammer away, but the defensive structure remained in place and big heart was shown at every tackle and contact point. The Cell C Sharks managed to survive a nervy final 10 minutes, but the belief they showed, and which they will take out of this game, is immense.
Yaw Penxe was the Standout Player of the Match for his incredible work-rate, but the hard work of the entire side on defence cannot be underplayed.