The Sharks were given a life line this morning when the Brumbies failed to pick up a bonus point. In order for the Sharks to secure a home semi final they now need to beat the Force pick up the bonus point and beat the Force by 10 points.
Should they do this they wont be secure as the Bulls can pip them tomorrow with a big win. At this stage they need a bonus point win and 26 points.
The Force picked up their first win last week against the Cheetahs so their spirits will be lifted after that.
Almost Live match summary
Referee: Paul Honiss (NZ)
Conditions
Time: 0.00
2.00
The Sharks get off to a perfect start as Odwa Ndungane scores the first points of the match.
4.00
Percy Montgomery converts
6.00
The Sharks give away a penalty and Cameron Shepherd gets the first points for the Force
9.00
Montgomery gets a penalty pushing the lead back out to 7 points.
Sharks 10 Force 3
15.00
Montgomery sends the ball over to the wing as Ndungane gets his second try
Montgomery converts
16.00
Sharks 17 Force 3
22.00
Brent Russell makes a great break as passes the ball to Jacques Botes who scores the Sharks third try
Montgomery converts
Sharks24 Force 3
27.00
The Force swing it wide and it’s Digby Ioane who scores the Force’s first try.
Cameron Shepherd misses the conversion.
Sharks24 Force 8
33.00
The Sharks go over for the bonus point try but its disallowed.
Instead they are awarded a penalty
Montgomery gets it between the posts
35.00
Sharks27 Force 8
38.00
We have a short break for injury
39.00
The Force unbelieveably fumble the ball behind their line. Sharks attack and we go upstairs. No Try. 5m scrum.
40.00
The Hooter goes for half time.
It’s half time and the score is Sharks27 Force 8
40.00
Montgomery restarts
45.00
The Force are awarded a penalty and they go for the line.
The Force win the lineout and drive for the line. Staniforth goes over but is held up.
47.00
Nathan Sharpe goes over the line but knocks the ball forward
49.00
The Force continue applying pressure and Scott Fava gets pushed over for the try
Shepherd gets the conversion – great kick
Sharks 27 Force 15
51.00
The Sharks fight back and get the overlap but the ref says no try as they drive over the line. Instead he awards a penalty to the Sharks. They go for the lineout.
52.00
They get the maul going and drive over the line for the bonus point try. Its Britz who comes up with the ball
Montgomery converts
Sharks34 Force 15
58.00
JP Pietersen kicks the ball up from his 25, chases and collects the ball, He shows some real pace and beats everyone to the tryline and socres the try.
Montgomery converts again.
Sharks41 Force 15
66.00
The Sharks have settled down a bit now after securing the bonus point and having set up a substantial points buffer.
72.00
The Force get a well deserved try as Cameron Shepherd dives over in the corner.
Shepherd could not convert his own try
Sharks41 Force 20
74.00
The Sharks are cought napping as Cameron Shepherd scores his second try and a bonus point for the Force.
Shepherd misses another conversion
37.00
Sharks41 Force 25
The Hooter goes and the Force try to keep the ball in play but it gets turned over and JP Pietersen kicks the ball out. Th ref blows the whistle.
Final score Sharks41 Force 25
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Scorers
Sharks
Tries
Ndungane 2
Botes
Britz
Pietersen
Conversions
Montgomery 4
Penalties
Montgomery 2
Drop goals
–
Force
Tries
Ioane
Fava
Shepherd 2
Conversions
Shepherd
Penalties
Shepherd
Drop goals
–
Teams
Sharks:
15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Andries Strauss, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 Brent Russell, 10 Butch James, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 AJ Venter, 7 Jacques Botes, 6 Warren Britz, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Johan Ackerman, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Deon Carstens.
Reserves: 16 Bismarck Wilhelm du Plessis, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 JP Pietersen.
Western Force:
15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Josh Graham, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Scott Staniforth, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Brock James, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Scott Fava, 7 David Pocock/Matt Hodgson, 6 David Pusey, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 John Welborn, 3 David Fitter, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Angus Scott.
Reserves: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Pat O’Connor, 19 Luke Doherty, 20 Chris O’Young, 21 Lachlan MacKay, 22 Haig Sare.
