Blair bags 28 points in Highlanders' win

Highlanders 43 Sharks 7

Ben Blair bagged a hat-trick of tries as the Highlanders produced the surprise result of the weekend, thrashing the Sharks in Durban yesterday.

The visitors had already nailed a bonus point by half-time, at which point they led 28-0.

It was an excellent way to start their Super 12 road trip, even if the bottom-placed Sharks were woeful. It was their fourth loss in as many games.

Fullback Blair also kicked five conversions and a penalty, scoring 28 points in all, to steer the visitors to their second win in four matches.

The Highlanders' rasping backline struck hard and often and the Sharks' defence was in tatters for most of the match.

Tries by halfback Jimmy Cowan and Blair put the Highlanders 14-0 ahead in the opening 10 minutes. They earned their bonus point for scoring their fourth try as early as the 19th minute when centre Seilala Mapusua touched down.

The Sharks scored their first points in the 46th minute when lock Charl van Rensburg crashed over from close range.

Blair scored his third try a minute later and capped his contribution to the scoreline with a shot at goal after 66 minutes. Lock James Ryan scored the Highlanders' sixth try with a minute left.