Lions snatch dramatic late draw against Sharks after Pietermaritzburg thriller

Mike Vowles, coach of Sharks XV, praised his team’s performance as their best of the Currie Cup season, even though they ended the weekend with a 22-22 draw against the Lions at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. The match, which took place on Friday evening, featured dramatic late twists and showcased the resilience of both sides. The Sharks had seemed poised to secure a crucial home victory when Meno Barnard scored their fourth try in the 76th minute. However, the Lions responded with a well-executed attacking play, allowing Gilermo Mentoe to cross the try line for the equalizer. Despite the opportunity, Lions flyhalf Sam Francis missed the conversion that would have given his team the winning points. The result left both teams sharing the points, marking a draw rather than a decisive win for either side. The match began with a series of errors from both teams, with the initial 30 minutes seeing few clear chances. A penalty kick by Sam Francis gave the Lions a narrow 3-0 lead early on. The Sharks managed to take the lead in the 31st minute when captain Ross Braude scored after a powerful rolling maul. However, the Lions maintained control of the set pieces and used their dominance to build momentum, leading to a try from Vuyo Gwiji that extended their lead to 10-5 at halftime. After the break, the Sharks made a strong comeback, scoring two tries within the first few minutes of the second half. Liam van Wyk added to the scoreboard following another lineout maul, and Luan Giliomee played a pivotal role in the Sharks' resurgence. His cut-out pass led to a try from Christie Grobbelaar, and Tim Swiel converted the goal to extend the Sharks’ lead to 17-10. The Lions quickly retaliated, with hooker Armand Combrinck finishing off a lineout maul to bring the score to 17-17. The tension escalated in the final stages of the match, with the Sharks appearing to have secured the win when Barnard crossed for their fourth try. But the Lions once again demonstrated their composure, with Mentoe scoring the equalizing try in the dying moments. The missed conversion by Francis meant the match concluded in a draw, with both teams earning two points. Vowles acknowledged the significance of the Sharks’ performance, calling it their best of the season. He emphasized the defensive efforts and the team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure. “It’s probably the best 80 minutes that we put together in the Currie Cup,” he said, highlighting the players’ fight and determination throughout the match. Among the standout performers was 20-year-old Luan Giliomee, who was named Man of the Match for his contributions. His influence was evident in both the try-scoring and tactical decisions, with Vowles praising his maturity and understanding of the game. “He does things at 20 years old that many people can’t do,” Vowles noted, expressing pride in Giliomee’s performance. Other notable results from the day included the Griquas securing a commanding 38-14 victory over the Airlink Pumas in Mbombela, further strengthening their position at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, the Stormers XXIII advanced their semi-final prospects with a convincing 50-26 win over the Bulls XV at Loftus.