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Waikato Chiefs beat Coastal Sharks
Posted: Friday April 30, 1999 03:58 PM
HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A 14-man Waikato Chiefs side beat South Africa's Coastal Sharks 32-19 Friday in a Super 12 rugby union match at Rugby Park. Chiefs captain Dylan Mika was sent off just before halftime for a dangerous late tackle on Sharks fullback Justin Swart. But that wasn't enough to stop the Chiefs from scoring their fourth consecutive victory after five opening losses. "It says a lot for the team's spirit," said Chiefs lock Ian Jones. "With only 14 men we worked really hard for the win. We really hurt after five losses and now we're back in the hunt for the semifinals." Commitment on defense and inspirational play from Jones and halfback Rhys Duggan helped the Chiefs protect the 22-7 lead they had at halftime. Waikato standoff Glen Jackson opened the scoring with an early penalty before Duggan extended the lead with a fine try following a scrum 10 meters short of the tryline. The Sharks, struggling in persistent rain, made changes to their pack after just 20 minutes when coach Ian McIntosh sent on No. 8 Warren Brosnihan for Nico Wegner and prop John Smit for Etienne Flynn. The Chiefs stretched their lead with their second try against the run of play 10 mnutes before halftime when Sharks fullback Justin Swart failed to tidy up a kick ahead by his opposite Bruce Reihana. Winger Roger Randle toed the ball through, picked up and dived over for the try, converted by Jackson. Randle scored again when he plucked a cross-field bomb from Jackson out of the air after Jonah Lomu barged his way to within 10 meters of the tryline. The Sharks got on the board a minute before the interval with a fine try to halfback Chad Alcock following fine work by standoff Jacques Benade, Stefan Terblanche and center Deon Kayser. The Chiefs lost their captain immediately before the break when referee Stuart Dickinsonsent Mika off for a late tackle on Swart. Waikato now travels to South Africa for its final two games while the Sharks will try to revive their fortunes against the Caterbury Crusaders and the Queensland Reds. Scores: WAIKATO 32 (Roger Randle 2, Rhys Duggan, Glen Marsh tries; Glen Jackson 2 penalty goals, 3 conversions def. COASTAL SHARKS 19 (Chad Alcock 2, Dean Kayser tries; Jacques Benade conversion, Henry Honiball conversion).
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