Vodacom Cheetahs victorious over Sharks in Durban
Vodacom Cheetahs v Sharks Photo by Hilton / www.15.co.za
The Vodacom Cheetahs have once more been the “bogey team” for the Sharks having beaten them 25-20 earlier tonight in Durban.
The Vodacom Cheetahs showed lots of guts and commitment in making the tackles and adjusting to a rather strange “refereeing” display. They should have been further in front at half time but were repeatedly punished by Jonathan Kaplan.
Mr Kaplan was not feeling well and did not return after half time on acount of a stomach bug. Referee Pro Legoete took over the whistle at half time and, much to the dismay of Johan Smit, was not influenced by the advice offered by the Sharks captain!
Sharks kicker Rory Kockott struggled tonight and missed several penalties attempts at goal!
Match summary:
Rory Kockott landed an early penalty after 10 minutes and it took another 10 before Naas Olivier levelled the scores.
Riaan Viljoen set the game alight with a long range try from his own 22 when he fielded a kick and set off on a scything run. He got all the way to Ruan Pienaar standing at fullback and dummied the Sharks flyhalf before sailing in to score under the posts.
Kockott landed two penalties before half time to bring the Sharks within a point.
Half time score: Cheetahs 10 –Sharks 9
The Sharks came out firing at the start of the second half and threatened for the first – and as it was, the last – time in the game. Continued pressure kept them going forward and when it came out wide Kankowski powered over to score. Kankowski looked threatening when running in space but lacked the necessary support.
The Cheetahs then landed three more penalties in succession – two of them long range efforts by Riaan Viljoen- to take back the lead.
Kockott closed the gap to 17-19 with a penalty, but a drop goal and a penalty to Naas Olivier put the Cheetahs into an unassailable lead.
The Sharks managed to gain a bonus point when Kockott succeeded with a penalty right on the whistle at the end of the game.
The Cheetahs scorers
Try Riaan Viljoen
Penalties: Riaan Viljoen 2×3, Naas Olivier 3×3
Drop Goal: Naas Olivier 1×3
Conversion: Naas Olivier 1×2
Sharks
Try Ryan Kankowski
Penalties: Kockott 5×3
Man of the Match – Riaan Viljoen
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