While the Hollywoodbets Sharks played well at times in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton on Saturday, it was at crucial times when mistakes proved costly.
Head coach John Plumtree was forthright in his post match assessment of the game, admitting that, “We weren’t good enough on the night.
“There were too many unforced errors at crucial times, particularly in their 22 when we had opportunities to build pressure.”
Benetton enjoyed a 24-3 lead at half-time but there was still enough time to come back from the deficit, as the team has shown in recent times. However, they just couldn’t quite make it happen this time.
“Particularly in the second half, we had plenty of territory and field position and we weren’t clinical enough.
“That’s something we’re going to have to look at because we were nowhere near ruthless enough.”
Plumtree also praised the home side’s tenacity in keeping their tryline intact for much of the game, despite the pressure exerted from his charges.
“I though Benetton’s defence was outstanding, they scrambled well, got off the line and put pressure on us and we didn’t handle that well.
“I don’t think there was any lack of trying, we’re working hard but it was just individual errors, some defensive lapses. It just wasn’t a clinical enough performance.”
Captain Vincent Tshituka echoed his coach’s sentiments, adding that they know they have to be better.
“I think we were dominated in a lot of areas of the game, Benetton did very well to win the territory battle and we made a lot of mistakes in areas where we could have punished them and taken points.
“It was a disappointing performance from the guys, it’s not a performance we’re proud of as a brand. To put it simply, that’s not our standard.”
The Hollywoodbets Sharks now enjoy a run of home games, starting this Saturday when they host Glasgow Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
“We’re looking forward to getting back home and playing some home games,” Plumtree admitted.
“We’ve been away for around five weeks if you take the Currie Cup into account as well, so we’re all looking forward to seeing our families and reconnecting with everyone.”
