Vodacom Cup
Dumond leads Sharks to victory
2009-03-07 19:08
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Petrusburg - The goal kicking prowess of Sharks XV fullback Monty Dumond was the key to his teams' Vodacom Cup victory on Saturday in Petrusburg against the Free State Cheetahs.
Dumond kicked six penalties to end with a personal tally of 18 points which played a huge rule in a significant 23-19 victory for the Banana Boys.
Only a try after the hooter signalling the end of 80 minutes playing time secured a bonus point for the home side which was scant consolation in a hard fought match.
The dust surrounding the town's rugby field was in stark contrast with the lush green playing surface. The temperatures were extremely hot though and, therefore, it didn't surprse when both sides committed many early errors.
Both teams were determined to test each other with high kicks throughout the game and play off each others mistakes.
Free State made more mistakes as the scoreboard reflected at half time, with the Sharks XV leading 11-6.
The Sharks, with Nolan Clark (lock) and Warren Whiteley (eighthman) in particular, also contested well in the line outs, which caused problems for the Free Staters.
The goalkicking scrumhalf of the home team, Jandre Blom, missed a penalty opportunity early on which didn't help their cause.
Dumond, on the other hand, got his team on the board with a 16th minute penalty and also played a part in the first try of the game in the 21st minute.
A Free State backline move broke down with a knock-on from wing Eddie Fredericks and Dumond intercepted. He offloaded to the impressive and pacy left wing, Lwazi Mvovo, who outsprinted the remaining Cheetah defenders to dot down in the left hand corner and give the Sharks an 8-0 lead.
Blom's penalty a short while later closed the gap and although Dumond missed a penalty chance soon after, he punished the Free Staters with a penalty kick after the home side's backchat to the referee got Dumond within range with a kick.
Blom closed the 3-11 defecit to 6-11 shortly before the break.
Dumond seemed at ease with all his goal kicks and slotted two more penalties within ten minutes of the second half.
He also streched to vistors' gap with kicks in the 69th and 76th minutes which left the home side with a 9-23 disadvantage.
The constant efforts of Ashley Johnson, Free State eighthman, eventually paid off when he scored with three minutes to go.
Blom missed an easy conversion and it seemed as if there was to be no bonus point for Free State until centre Alwyn Hollenbach scored the breakthrough try to bring the Cheetahs within seven after the hooter went, but by then the Sharks had already been assured of a win.
Points:
Sharks XV 23 (11) - Tries: Lwazi Mvovo. Penalties: Monty Dumond 6.
Free State Cheetahs 19 (6) - Tries: Ashley Johnson, Alwyn Hollenbach. Penalties: Jandre Blom 3.