The Sharks saw off a gallant but ultimately outclassed Lions side to win their second Super 14 game at the Absa Stadium in a hot and humid Durban.

The match started like a house on fire with the Lions proving that they had come to play and they were the first to get points on the board via a left-footed Earl Rose drop goal in the 15th minute.

However, the Sharks hit back around ten minutes later with a beautifully orchestrated try that eventually saw prop Deon Carstens score in the left hand corner for his fourth Super 14 try.

Then as the half headed into its final stages, flyhalf Ruan Pienaar slotted a penalty to give the Sharks a five-point lead, which they maintained into the break with the hosts certainly finishing the first stanza as the stronger team.

However, that appeared to be a temporary blip on the radar as the Sharks orchestrated a magnificent tryline to tryline touchdown, with scrumhalf and man of the match Rory Kockott (pictured) feeding centre Adi Jacobs who then made 50-odd metres before timing a perfect pass to winger JP Pietersen who rounded it off under the posts.

Kockott converted and the Sharks' five-point ascendancy was regained. The wily Sharks No9 was then on hand once again just moments later to slot an easy penalty from in front of the posts.

New Lions recruit from the Sharks, Henno Mentz, then virtually gifted his old side their third try when he dropped a pass, regained possession but then isolated himself before losing the ball again with the Sharks ready and waiting to exploit a massive overlap.

Athletic No8 Ryan Kankowski had to still show all his skills to go over for the try but when Kockott converted, it was 25-10 and the Sharks were home and dry.

They were still on the hunt for that try-scoring bonus point though and in the 68th minute, centre Frans Steyn came within a hairs breadth of scoring his team's fourth but was found to have just been in touch before dotting the ball down in the left corner.

In the end, despite having the upper hand for the final 10 minutes, the Sharks had to settle for the four points and will head on tour with their heads held high.

Scorers

Sharks
Tries - Deon Carstens, JP Pietersen,Ryan Kankowski 
Penalties -Ruan Pienaar 2
Conversions -Rory Kockott 2
Drop Goals -

Venue - Durban
Time pm - 19.10
Referee - J Kaplan (SA)
Ass Ref. 1 - P Bosch (SA)
Ass Ref. 2 - C Du Preez (SA)
TMO - J Meuwesen (SA)
Performance Reviewer - A Schoonwinkel

Teams

Sharks

15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller (Captain), 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit, 1. Deon Carstens

Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Jacques Botes , 20. Ross Cronje, 21. Riaan Swanepoel.

Lions

15. Louis Ludik, 14. Ashwin Willemse, 13. Jaque Fourie (V/C), 12. Doppies la Grange, 11. Henno Mentz, 10. Earl Rose, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Willem Alberts, 7. Franco van der Merwe, 6. Cobus Grobbelaar (C), 4. Anton van Zyl, 5. Gerhard Mostert,3. Gert Muller, 2. Willie Wepener, 1. Heinke van der Merwe