The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV defeated DHL Western Province 29-21 in a highly entertaining Carling Currie Cup clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening.
The bonus point victory consigned the Cape side to a fifth straight loss, keeping them winless in the tournament, while the home side can be proud of their efforts: brave on defence, exciting on attack and showing enough grit and determination to wrestle a four try to three victory over the visitors.
Having been forced to defend on the back foot for the opening quarter hour, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV faced immense pressure from DHL Western Province who showed intent but not enough accuracy, as much of that early period was spent in the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV half, but without reward.
Jaco Williams was denied a try when the TMO ruled the ball went forward in the build-up before DHL Western Province finally made good, two patient, multi-phase build-up attacks finally earning the reward with a converted try in the 22nd minute.
The visitors scored their second minutes later, again applying pressure in the 22 and coming away with the seven points to build up a 14-nil lead in the 25th minute.
But the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV had been showing glimpses of what they were capable of and three minutes later turned potential into points as Champion of the Match Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle finished off a lovely move in the corner to cut the deficit to nine points with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.
Williams was rewarded in the 41st minute as he took a magical catch out of the air under pressure, a cross-kick sent under playing advantage for a DHL Western Province infringement on defence, and Jean Smith converted from out wide to cut the lead to 14-12 as the referee blew for half-time.
The second half could not have started on a better note, a penalty kicked down-town, a perfect lineout drive to pressure the visitors and then a multi-phase forward effort saw loosehead prop Phatu Ganyane exploding over the line for the third try inside the opening five minutes, with Smith converting to push the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV into a 19-14 lead.
Bathobele Hlekani scored the bonus point try as the game hit the final quarter, a high intensity build-up, attacking fervour and determination rewarded with the seven-pointer after Smith added the extras for a 26-14 lead, having trailed by 14 points earlier in the game.
The visitors cut the deficit back to five points with a converted try 13 minutes from full-time, but as confidence built for the home team, they looked threatening every time the ball was taken into enemy territory.
A penalty was converted – the bonus point secured and the lead tentative at five points – to go eight points ahead and shift the pressure onto DHL Western Province to score twice with just over five minutes remaining.
They failed, despite their best efforts and certainly the defensive energy from the Hollywoodbets Sharks to keep them out and hold out for a wonderful victory.
“This is a great feeling, awesome to be back home in front of our fans playing at Hollywoodbets Kings Park,” said captain Nick Hatton afterwards.
While it wasn’t the perfect performance, it was a winning one and Hatton acknowledged that the conditions hadn’t been easy.
“The field was quite wet underfoot, but we should have adjusted and managed the game better.”