In a clash that turned Newport into a scene straight out of Noah's Ark, the Sharks finally nabbed their first log points of the Vodacom URC season with a soggy 17-17 draw against the Dragons. Despite leading at halftime, the Durban troupe couldn’t seal the deal and had to settle for a tie against the Dragons, who last season were more wooden than Pinocchio's nose. Coming into the game, the Dragons were dragging an 18-match losing streak from September of the previous year.
The match kicked off with John Plumtree's Sharks setting the pace. Lock Marvin Orie stormed across the try line early, marking a robust start for the visitors. Flyhalf Jean Smith, stepping in for Jaden Hendrikse at No 10, nailed the conversion, while Hendrikse slid back into his scrumhalf slot. However, the Dragons’ response was swift, with No 8 Aaron Wainright breaking free to score, and Tinus de Beer, the wizard of the tee, leveled the scores with a successful kick.
"Vincent Tshituka cannot be stopped from here ????"
The Sharks edged ahead before the break when captain Vincent Tshituka bulldozed his way over the line, leaving the Dragons to lick their wounds with a slight deficit. However, the only scoring in a nail-biting second half was a penalty from De Beer at the 65th minute, tying the game and ensuring the Dragons didn’t go home empty-handed, despite being a man down.
The Sharks are now set to face the formidable defending champs, Leinster, while the Dragons will try their luck against the Glasgow Warriors. It’s a rugby rollercoaster, and this draw has just thickened the plot in the Vodacom URC saga.
Sharks: Tries: Marvin Orie, Vincent Tshituka; Conversions: Jean Smith (2); Penalty: Smith.
Dragons: Tries: Aaron Wainright, Angus O’Brien; Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2); Penalty: De Beer.
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In a clash that turned Newport into a scene straight out of Noah's Ark, the Sharks finally nabbed their first log points of the Vodacom URC season with a soggy 17-17 draw against the Dragons. Despite leading at halftime, the Durban troupe couldn’t seal the deal and had to settle for a tie against the Dragons, who last season were more wooden than Pinocchio's nose. Coming into the game, the Dragons were dragging an 18-match losing streak from September of the previous year.
The match kicked off with John Plumtree's Sharks setting the pace. Lock Marvin Orie stormed across the try line early, marking a robust start for the visitors. Flyhalf Jean Smith, stepping in for Jaden Hendrikse at No 10, nailed the conversion, while Hendrikse slid back into his scrumhalf slot. However, the Dragons’ response was swift, with No 8 Aaron Wainright breaking free to score, and Tinus de Beer, the wizard of the tee, leveled the scores with a successful kick.
"Vincent Tshituka cannot be stopped from here ????"
The Sharks edged ahead before the break when captain Vincent Tshituka bulldozed his way over the line, leaving the Dragons to lick their wounds with a slight deficit. However, the only scoring in a nail-biting second half was a penalty from De Beer at the 65th minute, tying the game and ensuring the Dragons didn’t go home empty-handed, despite being a man down.
The Sharks are now set to face the formidable defending champs, Leinster, while the Dragons will try their luck against the Glasgow Warriors. It’s a rugby rollercoaster, and this draw has just thickened the plot in the Vodacom URC saga.
Sharks: Tries: Marvin Orie, Vincent Tshituka; Conversions: Jean Smith (2); Penalty: Smith.
Dragons: Tries: Aaron Wainright, Angus O’Brien; Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2); Penalty: De Beer.