Sharks outclass Lions to end 3-match slide in S15
Updated: April 09, 2011, 15:40
DURBAN, South Africa(AP) Charl McLeod scored an 82nd-minute try to give the Sharks a 27-3 victory and a precious four-try bonus point against struggling South African rivals the Lions in round eight of the Super 15 on Saturday.
The scrumhalf squeezed over from a quick tap penalty after the fulltime hooter had sounded to give the Durban team maximum points at home at Kings Park.
Former Lions players Louis Ludik and Willem Alberts, and wing JP Pietersen crossed in the first half for the Sharks, who dominated from the fourth minute when flyhalf Elton Jantjies kicked the visitors' first and only points.
Jacques-Louis Potgieter missed four of four first-half kicks for the Sharks but they shrugged off his wayward goalkicking to score out wide and end a three-match losing streak.
Fullback Ludik slid over in the right corner in the 15th minute after slick passing down the short side, flanker Alberts powered through two defenders to finish a flowing counterattack and Pietersen collected a pinpoint cross-kick from Potgieter to touch down after the halftime hooter.
But the Sharks could only add a Potgieter penalty in the second half - and were in danger of missing out on maximum points despite their dominance - until McLeod snuck over at the death to cap a perfect return to winning form.
"We're certainly happy with the bonus point,'' captain John Smit said. "We needed to come through, grind it out and get that bonus point.''
The Sharks move up to sixth, and the playoff places in the overall standings ahead of their bye next weekend. The Lions have now lost seven from eight this season, including their last four, to sit bottom.
"We made some silly mistakes and poor execution, that's all we can say,'' Lions skipper Doppies La Grange said. "We as individuals now have to look in the mirror ... and get the attitude right.''
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Sharks 27 (Louis Ludik, Willem Alberts, JP Pietersen, Charl McLeod tries; Jacques-Louis Potgieter conversion, penalty, Meyer Bosman conversion) def. Lions 3 (Elton Jantjies penalty). HT: 17-3.
