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The Emirates Western Force have been beaten 17-10 by the Sharks in their round one Investec Super 14 clash in Durban this morning (WA time).
Stand-in skipper Matt Giteau, leading the side in the absence of the ill Nathan Sharpe, ran the game with aplomb, and with support from standout performers Drew Mitchell, Cameron Shepherd, debutant Nick Cummins and Scott Fava, almost pinched the game in the final 20 minutes
A penalty goal from Cameron Shepherd gave the WA side an early lead, but the Sharks scored a converted try soon after to take a 7-3 lead at half time.
The Sharks extended their lead to 14-3 when Stefan Terblanche crashed over in the 52nd minute. Luke Holmes finished off some great work by Scott Staniforth and Matt Giteau to score his maiden Super Rugby try in the 65th minute, and at 14-10 the game was in the balance.
A monster 60m penalty goal from Francois Steyn in the 76th minute gave the Sharks a 17-10 cushion, and, despite a few close calls in the dying stages, that’s the way the scoreboard finished.
19th Min – Penalty goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Cameron Shepherd. 3-0.
26th Min – Try to the Sharks scored by Jacques Botes. Converted by Ruan Pienaar. Sharks lead 7-3
HALF TIME – Emirates Western Force 3 Sharks 7
52nd Min – Try to the Sharks scored by Stefan Terblanche. Converted by Pienaar. Sharks lead 14-3.
65th Min – Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Luke Holmes. Converted by Matt Giteau. Sharks lead 14-10.
76th Min – Penalty goal for the Sharks kicked by Francois Steyn. Sharks lead 17-10.
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 10 Sharks 17
Emirates Western Force 10 (Holmes try; Giteau con, Shepherd pen)
Sharks 17 (Botes, Terblanche tries, Pienaar 2 cons, Steyn pen)