The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV survived a late fightback from the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers as they returned to Durban and winning ways with a well-deserved 19-12 Carling Currie Cup at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday evening.
An enthusiastic KwaMashu crowd got behind their team who came to play and to deliver a comprehensive, decisive performance. They were made to fight for every inch – credit to the Kavaliers – but fight they did; for the badge, for the fans, and for themselves.
Ultimately, a masterclass in brave defence from the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV proved to be the difference in an exciting, highly-competitive clash.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers opened the scoring with an unconverted try, but just before the end of the first quarter, wing Khuthi Rasivhaga snapped up a handy intercept when the visitors were threatening to score again, and there was no stopping him as he raced 50m downfield to score under the posts, with Tim Swiel adding the extras to give his team the lead.
Shortly after the kick-off, fullback Luan Gilliomee showed his class as he broke through the defence and made 30m before a high tackle brought him down. The TMO was called to adjudicate and together with the referee, the decision was a yellow card for the visitors, reducing them to 14 men for the ensuing 10 minutes.
They were fortunate not to concede any points, their defence was up to the task under severe pressure, but five minutes before half-time, Tino Mavesere took the ball at pace following a lineout on the halfway line and he managed to power his way just short of the tryline, before the ball was recycled and Deon Slabbert crashed over under the posts, with Swiel adding the extras for a deserved 14-5 lead.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV had to brave the last few minutes under pressure as the visitors kicked a 50-22 that put them in touching distance of striking a huge psychological blow, but a lineout steal put paid to their ambitions and they held out for the dying moments to cling to their nine-point lead at the break.
The visitors dominated possession and territory for much of the third quarter, but a string of forward passes cut their momentum severely and it wasn’t until the 57th minute that someone went over the line, but the referee ruled that Mavesere had been held up over the tryline.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers went back down to 14 men for a deliberate knock-down of the ball when a line-break was evident and a try highly likely moments later, killing valuable momentum cynically.
Once again they weathered the storm, but when the game hit the final quarter, a sustained build-up led to a long pass out wide to Rasivhaga who dotted over quick-as-you-can to put some daylight between his team and their worthy opponents.
With five minutes remaining, the opposition scored their second try, a forward-dominated effort to cause some anxiety for the home team who led by a converted try, 19 plays 12.
But the commitment, intensity and desperation on defence proved to be their super-power and it delivered the win.
Lyle Matthews was a deserved Carling Man of the Match for the second time this season, but ultimately the win was secured by a massive team effort.
