Both the Sharks and Edinburgh threw the ball around like shoppers with full credit cards during the Black Friday sales, but it was the Sharks who ended up winning 22-19 in a thrilling United Rugby Championship clash in the Scottish capital on Saturday night.
The Sharks had cruised into a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, with scrumhalf Grant Williams giving the visitors a good start when he intercepted after a kicking battle and used great pace to race clear for a try from just inside the Edinburgh half.
Cow Guard
Loosehead prop Ox Nche, who is sure to raise transfer value with a dynamic all-round display, then went outside and passed to Williams, who was brought down in the 22 and Edinburgh cleared the ball, resulting in a yellow card for wing Wes Goosen. From the penalty, the Sharks launched a double line attack and the ball out the back saw fullback Aphelele Fassi break out of a tackle for wing Marnus Potgieter to score.
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But Edinburgh found the wind in their sails in the second quarter as they stormed into a 19-14 half-time lead. A superb sweeping move saw Adam McBurney score and the 26-year-old scored again three minutes before the break as Henry Immelman’s brilliant 50/22 kick gave him a line and an opportunity to strike from near the tryline.
It was all square with half time close, but the Sharks then dropped the ball in attack and Edinburgh pounced, quickly to get the corner ball and fullback Immelman received a brilliant pass from eight Viliame Mata and stormed through to try in the corner.
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Both teams, in an effort to play expansively, made many simple mistakes in the second half. The only thing that has kept them at a level of excellence is the Sharks’ scramble defense.
Cameron Wright
Ex-Montpellier scrumhalf Cameron Wright was the first to react when the Edinburgh ball went to the ground, and the outstanding shark forwards were behind to counter-ruck and get a penalty, which flyhalf Curwin Bosch kicked to cut Edinburgh’s lead to 19-17.
The Sharks then took the lead on the hour mark when Kerron van Vuuren’s hooker scored from a rolling maul that went right back to him.
But the 22-19 lead dwindled and the Sharks came under huge pressure in the final 15 minutes, particularly when substitute prop Carlu Sadie was controversially yellow-carded for a foul.
But the Sharks were indefatigable in defence, keeping waves and waves of Edinburgh attacks out. Fassi, who has question marks in defence, made four important tackles.
Goal scorer
Edinburgh – Try it: Adam McBurney (2), Henry Immelman. Conversion: Charlie Savala (2).
Shark – Try it: Grant Williams, Marnus Potgieter, Kerron van Vuuren. Conversion: Curwin Bosch (2). punishment: Bosch.