supersport.comThe Cell C Sharks secured their first win of the season with a comprehensive 48-18 (halftime 24-8) victory over the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias in their provincial tournament match at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday.
Outside centre Marius Louw grabbed a hat-trick of tries while flyhalf Tristan Tedder enjoyed a fine personal match as he ended with 23 points courtesy of a try, six conversions and two penalties.
The Sharks XV had endured a tough start to the season, losing their opening two fixtures to Border and Boland respectively.
But they comprehensively outplayed the Namibians as they ran in six tries to three to condemn the Welwitschias to their third loss on the trot.
Despite the bonus-point win, the Sharks XV are still eighth on the log.
The hosts took an early lead through a Tedder penalty but it was the Welwitschias who scored the first try when fullback Riaan van Zyl went over for an unconverted score in the sixth minute.
The Sharks XV were stung into action and the impressive Louw grabbed his first try in the eighth minute.
The visitors narrowed the gap to two points when flyhalf Shaun Kaizemi slotted a 20th minute penalty but the rest of the half belonged to the hosts as Tedder and Louw both scored tries before halftime as the Sharks XV went to the break leading 24-8.
The Welwitschias started the second half in fine fashion and they narrowed the gap to 24-18 thanks to tries from left wing Russell van Wyk and flank Rohan Kitshoff.
But the Sharks XV soon reasserted their dominance with Louw completing his hat-trick in the 51st minutes before replacement lock Wian Vosloss and replacement fullback Curwin Bosch both scored tries.
SCORERS
Cell C Sharks – Tries: Curwin Bosch, Marius Louw (3), Tristan Tedder, Wian Vosloo; Conversions: Tedder (6); Penalties: Tedder (2).
Windhoek Draught Welwitschias – Tries: Russell van Wyk, Rohan Kitshoff, Riaan van Zyl; Penalty: Shaun Kaizemi.
Source: Saru
