Bosch's boot secures victory for Sharks

Flyhalf Curwin Bosch scored 14 points with the boot as the Cell C Sharks triumphed 24-10 (halftime 11-0) over the Xerox Golden Lions in the Currie Cup Premier Division in Durban on Friday.

The Sharks ended the Lions' three-match winning streak. The home side cemented their No 1 spot on the Currie Cup log. Despite having a game in hand over the Sharks, second-placed Toyota Free State Cheetahs cannot overtake them, even if the Durban side loses to Western Province in two weeks' time.

The Sharks led the Lions 11-0 before the match was suspended due to extreme lightning and thunder conditions, with only 20 minutes elapsed.

Man-of-the-match Curwin Bosch kicked three penalties, one conversion and a drop goal taking his personal tally to 14 points. Thomas du Toit and Odwa Ndungane got on the scoresheet for the Sharks' tries.

A solo try for the Lions was scored via replacement utility back Anthony Volmink and the boot of Jaco van der Walt added five points including one penalty and one conversion, from the tee.

A handful of loyal rugby supporters braved the elements to witness the Sharks' tenth successive victory at a warm and humid but very wet Growthpoint Kings Park.

Despite the wet conditions, both sides launched enterprising attacks and with confidence but neither side threatened the opposition try line. Garth April, in particular, initiated numerous counter-attacks breaking tackles at regular intervals.

A shallow grubber kick from Lions pivot Davids was snatched up my Michael Claasens. The seasoned scrumhalf hacked the ball downfield which resulted in hardman Du Toit muscling over from close range, but Bosch missed the conversion to as the Sharks secured a 8-0 lead.

The young flyhalf did however convert the second penalty a few minutes, extending the home side's lead to 11-0.

It seemed like the momentum shifted towards the visitors, but a TMO ruling denied the Lions their first points of the match when Cyle Brink's try was rightfully disallowed.

Referee Stuart Berry was advised by the stadium safety officers to suspend the match due to dangerous weather conditions immediately after Bosch kicked the ball into touch.

With only 20 minutes played in the match, the players ducked into the locker rooms but the match resumed after 20 minutes.

Both sides had a few promising passages of attacking opportunities but no further points were added in the half as players headed into the locker room, this time, for the halftime break.

Both teams introduced their replacement bench after halftime and Van der Walt added the Lions' first points of the match in the 54th minute.

The Sharks responded in true champion fashion, scoring ten unanswered points. Bosch kicked his third penalty and not long thereafter veteran winger Ndungane danced his way around three Lions defenders en route to the Sharks' second try. Bosch extended the home side's lead to 21-3.

Bosch then dropped back in the pocket and calmly slotted a drop goal. The match ran its course as the home side's confidence grew with each attacking phase.

But it was Volmink who got the Lions' first try of the match in 79th minute and Van der Walt converted. The replacement utility back would have the final say as the referee blew the final whistle with the home side clinching a well-deserved victory.

Sharks:

Tries: Thomas du Toit, Odwa Ndungane

Con: Curwin Bosch

Pens: Bosch (3)                       

Drop Goal: Bosch                  

Lions:

Try: Anthony Volmink

Cons: Jaco van der Walt

Pen: Van der Walt

Cell C Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tristan Blewett, 12 Marius Louw, 11 S’bu Nkosi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha (Captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Inny Radebe, 22 Rhyno Smith

Xerox Golden Lions: 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8 Fabian Booysen, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen (capt)

Replacements: 16 Sti Sithole, 17 Pieter Jansen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Len Massyn, 21 Bradley Thain, 22 Anthony Volmink