Sharks 26
The Blues' hunt for a first win in Durban since 2004 ended in disappointment this morning after the Sharks beat the Auckland-based side 26-12 in their Super 15 match.
The visitors, fresh from a come from behind win against the Crusaders last week, were forced to play catch-up again in hot and humid conditions but this time, after a taxing week, came up short.
With 20-year-old first five-eighth Patrick Lambie orchestrating proceedings and No.8 Ryan Kankowski posing problems with his strong running, the Sharks were able to dictate play from in front.
The Blues were hampered by handling woes and a misfiring lineout, which stifled their ability to build concerted pressure, and a resolute Sharks defence kept the dangerous Blues backs tryless.
Lambie, who was capped by South Africa on their Northern Hemisphere tour last year, scored 21 points and ensured the Sharks recorded their seventh successive win over the Blues.
Blues skipper Keven Mealamu said his side was guilty of making too many errors.
"(There was) a lot of effort today, but the execution was off. You make that many mistakes against a side like this and they're going to punish you and that's exactly what happened today," he said.
The home side dominated the opening exchanges and the Blues were behind in the fourth minute, in somewhat unlucky circumstances.
A grubber kick from Lambie close to the line bounced off Blues No.8 Chris Lowrey and rebounded into the hands of the grateful pivot to crash over.
The Blues, seeking their first win in Durban since 2004, were struggling to get their hands on the ball, and went further behind after a penalty to Lambie.
It was not until the 10th minute that the Blues managed to get into opposition territory and two penalties to Stephen Brett ensured they were rewarded for their perseverance.
The Sharks looked the more dangerous with the ball in hand but the Blues gradually inched their way back into contention by the middle of the half, and after Lambie and Brett swapped penalties, trailed 16-9 at the break.
A desperate tackle on Willem Alberts by Benson Stanley, Tony Woodcock and Alby Mathewson prevented the Sharks flanker scoring seven minutes after the resumption after Lambie had earlier extended the host's lead.
Alberts botched another try-scoring chance in the 55th minute when he opted to sell a dummy rather than pass to the unmarked pair outside him.
A penalty to replacement first five-eighth Luke McAlister got the Blues to within seven points with 14 minutes left, but there was not enough left in the tank to repeat last week's heroics.
There was, however, enough time for the Sharks to cross for their second try after Jacques-Louis Potgieter intercepted Isaia Toeava's floated pass to send replacement winger JP Pietersen in under the posts to deny the Blues a bonus point.
Both sides wore red and black armbands as a mark of respect after the deadly earthquake in Christchurch this week.
Sharks 26 (Patrick Lambie, JP Pietersen tries; Lambie 2 con, 4 pen) Blues 12 (Stephen Brett 3 pen, Luke McAlister pen). Halftime 16-9.
- NZPA
