Gutted Sharks never got going

Sharks coach John Plumtree was left frustrated with the way his team was shut down by Western Province in the Currie Cup Final.

The Durban side were overwhelming favourites heading into the clash at Kings Park, but were disrupted by a committed Province side that fought tooth and nail to claim a 25-18 victory.

Having lost the Currie Cup Final against the Golden Lions last year and the Super Rugby Final to the Chiefs this year, Plumtree's side were left devastated by a defeat that would have tasted even more bitter in front of their home crowd.

“To make two finals in the two major competitions we compete in and not get a gold medal...we're devastated,” Plumtree said.

Whilst the home team's imposing forward pack had a clear advantage in the scrums, they were tormented by Province at line-out time, and when Juan de Jongh scored the only try of the match before half-time there was a clear momentum shift.

Plumtree said that his side had been shut down effectively by a determined defensive effort which saw Province grow in confidence as they headed towards an unlikely victory.

“One of the things that really irritated me was that we never had the opportunity to really get our game going," Plumtree said.

“We had to win it differently. Tonight we couldn't play and just weren't on the money," he said.