The Sharks weren’t nearly as accurate or disciplined enough on The Stoop as Harlequins cruised to a 39-29 victory in a thrilling Champions Cup clash on Saturday afternoon, with their hopes of hosting the round of 16 play-offs at home in doubt, until they scored a try fourth in 78Th minutes for important bonus points.
With the match lost and time running out to secure the bonus points, substitute scrumhalf Grant Williams took a quick-touch penalty and ran away, putting the Sharks in the Harlequins 22. Substitute loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe provided good support and then the ball. went wide, where fullback Aphelele Fassi fought his way through three defenders to score a crucial try.
If the Sharks are honest with themselves, they shot themselves in the foot in this match. Also Harlequins played – and they shone at times – the Sharks have made it easier for them by conceding a host of penalties and turnovers.
The Sharks started well with a try in just the second minute as they found a bit of space, Fassi’s little chip forward was caught by winger Thaakir Abrahams and he slotted into Lukhanyo Am’s center to score.
But ill-discipline then saw them concede a soft penalty after two more, putting themselves under pressure when Harlequins scored twice, scrumhalf Danny Care dummying and sniping from close range and then Alex Dombrandt’s eighth pass after a good break by the fullback. Nick David.
Power is nullified
The Sharks’ strength was successfully canceled out by Harlequins’ pace of play, chasing the ball from the rucks at speed, while one also has to congratulate the home team’s forwards for being able to withstand collisions.
Read more: Sharks look to up the intensity as Quins roar
In the Sharks own ball, Quins unleashed Will Evans as an absolute threat as he produced an openside play performance.
Harlequins scored again in the 18thTh minutes, after the Sharks conceded back-to-back penalties and slippery hands and short passes allowed Cadan Murley a lot of space to score, putting the front 21-8 up.
The Sharks showed they weren’t done yet, but at the break it was only 22-24, and scored two more tries.
A very strong break by the wing Marnus Potgieter from his own half allowed scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse to show pace and get through in the corner, and then locked Eben Etzebeth, who did not dominate the usual in the gainline but did a lot more good. show your rugby skills for the next try. He has taken Care once at the base of the ruck but lost when taking the ball, but in 38Th minutes, he noticed that prop Joe Marler was not bound to run and Care had his hands on the ball, so he came from an onsides position, stole the ball and raced away to try.
Harlequins produced an interesting response in the third quarter. Hendrikse conceded a soft penalty for obstruction and then prop Thomas du Toit turned over as the Sharks got the ball back. From the resulting lineout, former KZN lock Stephan Lewies came straight through a powerful maul to score.
The game was still tied with Quins leading 29-22, but a fine individual effort by David sealed the result. Dynamic throughout, the fullback collected a stab ahead by Abrahams – a poor decision by the wing after he had twinkle-toed to the Harlequins 22 – and counter-attacked, before producing the perfect grubber for himself to complete the eloquent justification for the man. of the award match.
Goal scorer
Harlequins – Try it: Danny Care, Alex Dombrandt, Cadan Murley, Stephan Lewis, Nick David. Conversion: Marcus Smith (4). Punishment: Smith (2).
Shark – Try it: Lucky Am, Jaden Hendrikse, Eben Etzebeth, Langgeng Fassi. Conversion: Curwin Bosch (3). punishment: Bosch.
Read more: Bosch back at 10 as Sharks make five changes for date with Harlequins