Sharks 19 Highlanders 17

The Highlanders fell back into some of their bad habits to be left with another honourable loss as the Sharks maintained their unbeaten run in the Super 14 with a 19-17 victory at Carisbrook on Friday night.

The Highlanders showed plenty of confidence after last week's breakthrough win against the Lions to dominate an entertaining first half and lead 17-11 at the break.

But they then froze and couldn't add any more points as the Sharks fought back for another crucial away win to keep some pressure on the table-topping Crusaders.

The Highlanders contributed plenty to this entertaining match and became the first team to score more than one try against the miserly Sharks' defence.

But a couple of crucial errors, some poor handling and a pinch of bad luck meant the plucky Highlanders were unable to finish the job this week.

It has to be admitted that these Sharks are a class act. They aren't anywhere near peak form, particularly with their attacking game, but they are still winning.

And there weren't any signs of panic as they slowly but surely hauled in the Highlanders who at one stage led 14-3.

The Sharks missed five shots at goal in a sloppy kicking display that certainly helped the home side.

But Highlanders pivot James Wilson will also rue another late penalty miss that would have given his side what many may argue would have been a deserved win.

In a season of "what-ifs" this was another one that got away as the Highlanders failed to reel in what would have been their biggest fish of all.

Coach Glenn Moore had surprisingly tinkered with his starting lineup after last week's breakthrough win over the Lions.

But new halfback Toby Morland and fresh blindside Adam Thomson were lively contributors to an impressive opening half.

They were backed up by tireless skipper Craig Newby and first five Wilson providing the Highlanders with some commanding form in crucial areas.

Tighthead prop Clint Newland continues to be a force at this new level of football and with an increasing supply of ball dynamic left wing Fetu'u Vainikolo caused trouble any time he got it in his hands.

But they just couldn't find the killer blow and as the pressure mounted some old problems resurfaced.

But the Sharks are masters of applying that pressure.

Frederic Michalak was constantly involved for the visitors but their standout player was undoubtedly big No 8 Ryan Kankowski who was into everything and eventually scored the crucial try that swept the momentum to his side.

The Highlanders made a sensational start when big left wing Vainikolo continued his try-scoring run with a powerful surge to the line that the Sharks failed to handle.

And Vainikolo set up the Highlanders second try when he burst to the corner and from the resulting breakdown Newby took the ball close for Newland to pick up and crash over.

With Wilson adding the extras again the home side was out to a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But two sloppy plays allowed the Sharks back into the match.

Poor defence handed Sharks flanker Jacques Botes a soft try.

Then Ruan Pienaar and Wilson traded penalties to make it 17-11 to the Highlanders at the break.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when Kankowski showed his intuition, class and speed to pick off a Morland pass from a lineout win and sprint 45 minutes to the line for a try that shook the Highlanders.

It came out of nowhere and gave the visitors an enormous lift as they upped the tempo and found some good field position.

Pienaaar missed two handy kicks that would have got the Sharks in front for the first time and eventually it was Francois Steyn who stepped up to land one of his trademark booming penalties, with a 51m effort edging the visitors ahead 19-17 just before the hour.

Penalties were missed at both ends over a tense final quarter where the Sharks hung tough for a treasured win.

And in a week where the spotlight has fallen on Australian referees for all the wrong reasons it should be noted that young Aussie whistleman Ian Smith made a pretty reasonable job of his Super 14 debut.

This was a lively match but he largely kept a cool head to help the spectacle.

The Highlanders now have to hit the road to South Africa where they face the Bulls next weekend while the Sharks head across the Tasman to take on the Brumbies in Canberra next Saturday.

SHARKS 19 (Jacques Botes, Ryan Kankowski tries; Ruan Pienaar 2 pen, Francois Steyn pen) bt HIGHLANDERS 17 (Fetu'u Vainikolo, Clint Newland tries; James Wilson pen, 2 cons) at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Referee: Ian Smith (Aus)

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