Sharks show their mettle to eke out victory over Edinburgh

It was a gripping game from start to end, but the visitors' determination, despite a later yellow card, saw them through for the vital victory.

The first half was thrilling with the Sharks scoring two converted tries for a 14-0 lead before Edinburgh fought back strongly with three back-to-back tries to take a 19-14 lead.

The second half provided more of the same excitement, and while the Durnanites added a third try, it was a penalty goal by Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch that proved to be the difference on the scoreboard in the end.

Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams struck first with a brilliant intercept try in the fifth minute using his raw pace and the visitors had two more chances to score soon after, but their chances of extending their lead were improved as Edinburgh wing Wesley Goosen received a yellow card for an infringement at a ruck on the tryline.

The Durbanites' capitalised on this wing Marnus Potgieter scoring out wide thanks to an overlap in the 19th minute after some good forward play for a 14-0 lead.

The hosts however fought back with intent with as hooker Adam McBurney rounded off a stunning team try before adding his second soon after from a powerful rolling maul, and the successful conversion allowed them to level the scores at 14-14 with less than three minute s left in the half.

The continued to fight and this paid off with their third try by fullback Henry Immelman a minute later from great speed and support play on attack which saw them hold a handy 19-14 lead going into the break.

The Sharks earned the first points after the restart with flyhalf Curwin Bosch slotting a penalty goal to push them within two points of the hosts on the scoreboard. They showed enterprise on attack in the preceding minutes, but they were shut out by effective defence by the home side.

The visitors forced their way to the tryline through a rolling maul in the 61st minute with hooker Kerron van Vuuren earning the five pointer, which saw them take a 22-19 lead at a crucial time of the match. They came within inches of adding another minutes later as Springbok Ntuthuko Mchunu broke through and tried to stretch over the tryline, but the ball was ruled to be held up.

The Sharks were placed under pressure with 13 minutes left on the clock as replacement prop Carlu Sadie received a yellow card for an infringement at a ruck, reducing them to 14 men for the next 10 minutes, but their tenacious defence saw them hang on for the 22-19 victory.