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Second-string Sharks outclassed by Cardiff but all eyes on Challenge Cup

Second-string Sharks outclassed by Cardiff but all eyes on Challenge Cup
Alun Lawrence of Cardiff Rugby and Corne Rahl of Sharks during the United Rugby Championship. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Alun Lawrence of Cardiff Rugby and Corne Rahl of Sharks during the United Rugby Championship. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

A 14-man Sharks couldn't contend with fiery Cardiff outfit in their United Rugby Championship (URC) game at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

Cardiff powered to a bonus-point 36-14 win after leading 26-7 at half-time.

The loss means that John Plumtree's charges slip to 13th in the URC standings as Cardiff replaces them for 12th-place.

The Welsh side made an impact early as Alun Lawrence powered his way and Ben Thomas added the extras.

However, the Sharks suffered a massive blow when Tinotenda Mavesere was shown a red-card after hitting Cameron Winnett. The referee believed the high tackle was dangerous and the Sharks were one-man down.

Shortly thereafter, Cardiff struck through Ben Donnell with Thomas converting once more. The Sharks replied with the sole try of Diego Appollis, who stole a loose ball and dove over to score. 

Lionel Cronje converted the try but Cardiff immediately scored twice to extend their lead before the break. Uilisi Halaholo and James Botham each crossed the whitewash as Cardiff went 26-7 at the break.

The 14-man Sharks side looked beaten as Mason Grady extended Cardiff's lead as he glided across with Thomas once more converting.

However, the Sharks treated the Durban crowd with a final cheer when Curwin Bosch dived on the ball to score.

Cardiff take five points away from Kings Park. However, next weekend the Sharks will compete in the Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.

Scorers:

Sharks 14 (7)

Tries: Diego Appollis, Curwin Bosch

Conversions: Lionel Cronje, Bosch

Cardiff 36 (26)

Tries: Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Uilisi Halaholo, James Botham, Mason Grady

Conversions: Ben Thomas (4)

Penalty: Thomas 

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0'
Cardiff: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 James Botham, 6 Ben Donnell, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 3 Rhys Litterick, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Corey Domachowski. Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Rhys Carré, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Jacob Beetham, 23 Mason Grady.
0'
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Eduan Keyter, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khwezi Mona, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Anthony Volmink.
0'
Good day and a warm welcome to our coverage of the United Rugby Championship match between the Sharks and Cardiff from Kings Park in Durban.
1'
The match is delayed as the referee needs his mic sorted out.
1'
KICK OFF: The Sharks get us underway with a deep kick into the Cardiff 22. Cardiff find touch with a box kick up near ten from halfway.
2'
Cronje probes with a kick after the Sharks are halted in their attempt to bash over the advantage line with ball in hand. Cardiff have the lineout inside their own 22.
4'
Cardiff keep it simple and find touch five from halfway and the Sharks will try again from the lineout. The Sharks win a penalty after Cardiff stray offside following a charged down kick.
6'
The Sharks bash up to within five off the Cardiff line but Adams gets onto the ball and wins a penalty for Cardiff. They clear their lines with the kick and will have a lineout five from halfway.
7'
Cardiff kick again and Cronje gets back to gather and kick long. Cardiff get across and kick to touch again and the Sharks will have another lineout just inside the Cardiff half.
8'
The Sharks knock on and we will have a scrum close to the Cardiff 22 with Cardiff putting the ball in.
10'
The Sharks send up a hoist and this time they chase well and win a penalty at the breakdown. Cardiff seal off at the ruck and the Sharks reject the shot at goal.
11'
Cardiff steal the lineout but nearly cough up a soft try as the ball bounces loose. Cardiff scramble it clear and the Sharsk have another attacking lineout but they have butchered it and Cardiff can counter.
14'
Cardiff cannot use an advantage on halfway and they come back for the kick. Cardiff set up a lineout just outside the Sharks 22.
14'
Cardiff cannot use an advantage on halfway and they come back for the kick. Cardiff set up a lineout just outside the Sharks 22.
15'
Cardiff get another penalty and set the lineout five out. Notshe is warned for infringing again.
16'
TRY, CARDIFF, LAWRENCE, 0-5: Lawrence powers over eventually and Cardiff are first on the board.
17'
CONVERSION, CARDIFF, THOMAS, 0-7: Thomas converts the try.
18'
Chamberlain is in space but he received a forward pass and Cardiff will have a scrum feed ten inside their own half.
19'
Cardiff get a free kick at scrumtime and opt for another scrum.
20'
RED CARD, SHARKS, MAVESERE: Mavasere will go into the bin after he hits Winnet as he was going down, he will get a red card for that as the referee thinks it was very dangerous.
21'
TRY, CARDIFF, DONNELL, 0-12: Donnell gets over as the numbers tell.
22'
CONVERSION, CARDIFF, THOMAS, 0-14: Thomas converts and this could already turn into a procession.
23'
Cardiff exit well and the Sharks will feed a lineout just inside the Cardiff half.
24'
The Sharks set up another lineout on the Cardiff 22 with a penalty kick from the lineout and they maul and earn advantage.
25'
TRY, SHARKS, APPOLLIS, 5-14: Cardiff giftwrap a try for the Sharks as they steal the ball and then lose it on the ground and see Appollis dive over to score.
26'
CONVERSION, SHARKS, CRONJE, 7-14: Cronje converts the try and the Sharks are back in it to some extent.
28'
Cardiff threaten again but the kick ahead from Cardiff hits a Sharks player and goes out. Cardiff have an attacking lineout
29'
TRY, CARDIFF, HALAHOLO, 7-19: Halaholo turns out of a tackle and powers to the line to score a great try.
30'
CONVERSION, CARDIFF, THOMAS, 7-21: Thomas converts the try from out wide.
31'
Cardiff spill the restart and find themselves deep in their 22 but the clearance kick is touched by the Sharks and Cradiff have the lineout feed on their own 22.
33'
Amateur hour from the inexperienced Sharks as they butcher a ruck possession and give away a penalty on their own 22.
34'
TRY, CARDIFF, BOTHAM, 7-26: The Sharks wilt at maul time and Botham finishes well.
35'
Thomas cannot convert from out wide.
38'
The Sharks scramble back again and just manage to clear their lines after Cardiff looked certain to score.
40'
HALF TIME: SHARKS 7-26 CARDIFF The Sharks have been woeful throughout the first half and are lucky to only trail by 19. Cardiff have taken their chances well and played percentage rugby. The Sharks will do well to avoid a big blowout loss.
40'
Cardiff don't use the ball quick enough and the Sharks get a scrum which might be the last act of the first half.
41'
Cardiff restart and Notshe gathers. The Sharks carry away from their 22 but a poor kick sees Thomas sprint through and get taken down at the Sharks 22. The Sharks spill a charged down kick and Cardiff have an attacking scrum.
43'
Cardiff and the Sharks wheel around and the scrum has to be reset.
44'
Cardiff get a scrum penalty and cannot use the advantage and will come back for a shot at goal.
45'
PENALTY, CARDIFF, THOMAS, 7-29: Thomas slots the penalty.
47'
Rahl loses his feet at the ruck and the Sharks give away a penalty while in possession.
48'
The Sharks stop the Cardiff maul and win a scrum deep in their own 22.
50'
The Sharks knock on as they try to carry away from their own line. Really poor effort from the home team.
51'
Cardiff's scrum monsters the Sharks and they win another penalty. Cardiff put it into the corner and will try to drive over. They get blown for obstruction though and the Sharks get a small let-off.
53'
The Sharks get a scrum after Cardiff spill the ball but Keyter also gets a lecture for backchat and foul language.
54'
Cardiff get onto a loose ball but they knock on and the Sharks will have another scrum this one a little closer to the halfway line.
55'
Cardiff go in high on Appollis and the Sharks use the penalty to set up a lineout inside the Cardiff 22 but their maul is stopped and Cardiff win the scrum and that's a soft turnover.
58'
Cardiff counter well but then lose their feet at the ruck and the Sharks use the penalty to set up a lineout just outside the Cardiff 22.
60'
The Sharks cannot get the ball out of a maul and Cardiff will have the scrum feed just inside their own 22.
61'
Cardiff get another scrum penalty and the undermanned Sharks pack is being monstered.
63'
Cardiff throw a pass into touch and the Sharks are given another let-off by a visiting side who have also been poor in a dour second half from both teams.
64'
Now the Sharks knock on and Cardiff delay play as they have a front ranker down.
65'
The Sharks catch Cardiff napping out wide and win a penalty at the breakdown. Penxe did well there. The Sharks don't get much mileage on the kick though.
67'
Cardiff spill the ball after a lineout which they fed after the Sharks ran out of room on attack.
68'
Cardiff scramble it clear having got back to cut out an attempted grubber from Bosch. The kick isn't long and the Sharks can attack from the lineout.
69'
Bosch kicks a penalty kick into the corner and the Sharks will try to get something from this game.
71'
The Sharks cough up the penalty and call the referee a cheat and get marched back ten and earn a final warning.
73'
TRY, CARDIFF, GRADY, 7-34: Grady gets in to score and the Sharks look like a beaten side.
74'
CONVERSION, CARDIFF, THOMAS, 7-36: Thomas converts from out wide.
76'
Cardiff knock on after a hoist and the Sharks will have a scrum just inside the Cardiff half.
77'
Dyantyi motors after a grubber but cannot get to it before the ball goes out.
78'
TRY, SHARKS, BOSCH, 12-36: Bosch hacks a charged down kick ahead and dives on it to score.
79'
CONVERSION, SHARKS, BOSCH, 14-36: Bosch converts with a snap drop.
80'
FULL TIME: SHARKS 14-36 CARDIFF A dreadful game comes to an end at last. The Sharks were poor throughout and Cardiff were better but not great. Cardiff take five points away from Kings Park.
Sharks
Sharks
Cardiff Rugby
Cardiff Rugby
2
Tries
5
26' Appollis Diego
79' Bosch Curwin
17' Lawrence Alun
21' Donnell Ben
29' Halaholo Willis
34' Botham James
72' Grady Mason
2
Conversions
4
26' Cronje Lionel
79' Bosch Curwin
17' Thomas Ben
22' Thomas Ben
30' Thomas Ben
74' Thomas Ben
0
Penalties
1
45' Thomas Ben
0
Drop Goals
0
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
15
Squad
15
Bleuler Dian
Richardson Dylan
Mona Khwezi
Rahl Corne
Hugo Reniel
Mavesere Tino
Miller Simon
Notshe Sikumbuzo
Fourie Tiaan
Cronje Lionel
Dyantyi Aphiwe
Keyter Eduan
Appollis Diego
Penxe Yaw
Chamberlain Boeta
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Domachowski Corey
Belcher Liam
Litterick Rhys
Lewis-Hughes Shane
Thornton Rory
Donnell Ben
Botham James
Lawrence Alun
Bevan Ellis
Thomas Ben
Hamer-Webb Gabriel
Halaholo Willis
Lee-Lo Reynold
Adams Josh
Winnett Cameron
8
Reserves
8
Jooste Daniel
Reyneke Braam
IG Prinsloo
Dyer Thomas
Hatton Nick
Davids Bradley
Bosch Curwin
Volmink Anthony
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Carre Rhys
Assiratti Kieron
Davies Seb
Martin Mackenzie
de Beer Tinus
Beetham Jacob
Grady Mason
Lloyd Ethan