Impressive Sharks overpower 'Canes

Cape Town - The Sharks got their season moving in the right direction once more with a solid 32-15 win over the Hurricanes in Durban on Saturday. 

In one of their best displays of the season, the Sharks scored 4 tries to 2 by the visitors. 

AS IT HAPPENED: SHARKS 32-15 HURRICANES

JP Pietersen crossed scored two tries either side of half time, while scrumhalf Michael Claassen's and No 8 Dan du Preez scored the third and fourth respectively. 

The Hurricanes played with plenty of attacking enterprise in the first half and the Sharks defence was made to soak up a lot of pressure. 

After Garth April and Beauden Barrett had exchanged penalties, the Sharks wall eventually broke in the 30th minute when loosehead prop Reg Goodes finished off a series of probing Hurricanes attacks. 

The Sharks, probably second best in the opening period, leveled matters just before half time when Pietersen scored in the corner following a sustained period of Sharks pressure and the score was 8-8 at the break.

Pietersen had his second just after the restart when he pounced on a loose pass from Brad Shields - stabbing the kick ahead before diving over the line. 

The third try came through Claassens - the scrumhalf taking a quick tap penalty to catch the Hurricanes on their heels. 

Daniel du Preez then scored the Sharks' fourth try after they had bossed a 5m scrum, but Hurricanes fullback James Marshall then sliced through the defence to score and take away the Sharks' bonus point.

There was a warm applause from the Durban crowd as they welcomed back Pat Lambie from injury in the 54th minute.

Scorers:

Sharks 32 (8)

Tries: JP Pietersen (2), Michael Claassens, Dan du Preez

Conversions: Garth April (2), Pat Lambie

Penalties: April, Lambie 

Hurricanes 15 (8)

Try: Reg Goods, James Marshall

Conversion: Jason Woodward

Penalty: Beauden Barrett

Teams:

Sharks
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12, Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, Garth April, 9 Michael Claassen, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephen Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Odwa Ndungane

Hurricanes

15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Reg Goodes

Substitutes: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Blade Thomson, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 Jason Woodward