The Vodacom Blue Bulls surged to the top of the log when they overpowered the Sharks to win 35-14 (half-time 22-9) in a lively ABSA Currie Cup game at Loftus Versveld on Saturday. The Sharks had been disrupted before kick by the withdrawal of flyhalf Brad Barrit who failed a late fitness test. He was replaced by Monty Dumond who moved from the wing, with Chris Jordaan coming of the bench onto the right wing.

The Bulls too were slightly thrown off balance when they received an early shock with Derick Kuün being awarded a yellow card for putting the boot to an opponent’s head with only 40 seconds on the clock.

However, this was to no real detriment to the Bulls as they scored the first try of the match when fullback Tiger Mangweni went over in the left corner after Wynand Olivier broke the line in the seventh minute following a move from a 22 drop-out.

Dumond then exchanged penalties with his opposite number Morné Steyn before Olivier collected a Steyn grubber to dive over next to the right upright.

Eventual man-of-the-match Tiger Mangweni extended the hosts’ lead when he grabbed his second, finishing off an outstanding team effort as the Bulls flexed their muscle.

It must be said though that the only blemishes of an exciting first half were the several referrals by referee JC Fortuin to the TMO for suspected infringements during the run of play, dappling the excitement with exasperating, long unnecessary stoppages.

The teams went into the shed with the Bulls leading 22-9 and deservedly so as they were more clinical, showing greater urgency and verve.

Michael Cupido the TMO was thrice called into action again in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Firstly for an interesting situation where John Mametsa and Stephan Terblanche slid over the Sharks’ try-line, with both in control of the ball. The latter was given the benefit of the doubt.

Then Bulls lock Danie Rossouw was twice denied tries when Cupido adjudged that he was short of the line in one instance and had a double movement in the other.

The skirmishes and collisions upfront were no place for the faint hearted, and the Bulls had the ascendancy there, setting a better platform for more opportunities while their backs enjoyed front foot ball to penetrate with more success.

The Sharks had been failing to finish but they seemed to get a new lease of life with ten minutes to go as they upped the intensity of their play.

The pressure they applied resulted in former Bok lock Albert van den Berg pulling one back for the men from Durban when he emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball following a maul close to the line.

Nevertheless, the Bulls’ had the last say as replacement scrumhalf Francois Hougaard grabbed the bonus point try with three minutes to go, but not before the passage of play preceding his efforts were referred upstairs, again.

There must have been more than a dozen TMO referrals and close on 20 minutes in total stoppage time as Mr Cupido deliberated.

The TMO’s role in decisions involving infringements in general play is being trialled and this game’s proceedings in this regards will definitely go into the ‘cons’ column.

Despite the interruptions the game lived up to expectations as the spectators were thoroughly entertained throughout the action packed 105 odd minutes of play.

The win moved the Bulls seven places up from second last to top the standings on points’ difference ahead of Western Province, the Sharks and the Cheetahs all on nine points.

SCORERS:

Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Tiger Mangweni (2), Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard. Conversions: Steyn (3) Penalties: Morné Steyn (3)

Sharks – Tries: Albert van den Berg. Penalties: Monty Dumond (3)

Source: sarugby.com