Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster Match report: A full-strength Sharks made a big statement by recording their first ever United Rugby Championship win against Ulster at King’s Park on Saturday.
John Plumtree fielded a very strong side with several Springboks in the squad. Center Lukhanio Am, lock Eben Etzebeth, wing Makajole Mapimpi and hooker Bongi Mbonambi were in the starting line-up, while props Aux Nche and Vincent Koch entered the field from the bench.
Efforts from Fepsi Buthelezi, Eduane Kiter and Mbonambi ensured the Sharks ended their five-game losing streak in the URC season. Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster.
Harry Sheridan and Kieran Treadwell claimed tries for Ulster, with John Cooney kicking a conversion. Ulster failed to record a losing bonus point and remain on 34 log points.Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster
At first the South Africans were shocked. Just 80 seconds into the match, Georg Cronje was taken off the field on a stretcher with a knee injury. Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster
Buthelezi moves from flank to No.8 due to Cronje’s injury, while Gendre Labuschagne takes over on the flank.
Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster in this year
Both teams took time to settle after the long break but a disjointed opening quarter ended with Ulster going ahead.
Treadwell made the early progress, charging within touching distance of the line, before Sheridan finished and Cooney’s conversion opened up a seven-point lead.
The shark returned almost immediately. From a loose ball, Sharks fullback Apple Facey hit downfield to Will Addison with teammate Ethan Hooker. Hooker couldn’t hold on to the ball, but Buthelezi managed to hold onto it and went down for the score. Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster
Siya Masuku leveled things up with the conversion.
Tried to set the shark on fire. On the brink of half time, their strong scrum saw them score a perfect chance. However, a knock-on halted all their efforts and the teams went into the break at 7-all.
Like the first half, the second half started with injuries. This time Ulster’s Billy Burns left the field with a shoulder injury.
The Sharks eventually took the lead. Sharp interplay between forwards and backs ended with Mapimpi kicking behind Ulster’s defensive line and Keita finishing brilliantly, Masuku’s conversion made it 14-7.
Momentum was clearly in favor of the hosts, especially with Sharks debuting from the coach’s bench.
Masuku extended the lead to ten points with a successful penalty. Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster
Just under the hour mark, Ulster found themselves back in the game. The Sharks did well to stop Ulster, but the ball went off the rock before Treadwell picked up the loose ball for a try. The TMO had to intervene, but failed to find the final corner to determine who punched the ball from the ruck.
It was a very busy afternoon for the officials. After a high tackle by Ian Henderson on the coach, tempers flared and brawls broke out. Eventually, referee Ben Whitehouse restored order and sent off Henderson, James Hume and Vincent Shituka.
Sharks have taken full advantage of the extra humans. Capitalizing on the driving maul, Springbok hooker Mbonambi crashed over the line to restore the 10-point lead. Masuka missed the conversion but the Sharks did enough to secure the win.
Man of the Match: Pepsi Buthelezi, Edwin Keeter and Eben Etzebeth deserve mention for their hard work. However, our nod goes to shark center Enthan Hooker. He was a standout on the Sharks team. He showed class and his pace caused havoc. He also set up a crucial try for the Sharks.
event: Fool-burdened sharks submit to Ulster
Sharks: 15 Afele Fassi, 14 Eduan Kiter, 13 Lukhanio Am (capt), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazol Mapimpi, 10 Sia Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendricks, 8 George Cronje, 7 Vincent Shituka, 6 John Applebeth Gebreth. .
Replacements: 16 Kieron van Vuuren, 17 Aux Enche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Korne Rahal, 20 Gendre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Carwin Bosch, 23 Francois Venter.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Matty Rea, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Jude Postlethwaite, 23 Sean Reffle.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wengil Jadejaweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Colin Brett (Scotland)
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