Sharks' URC playoff hopes ended after narrow defeat in Edinburgh

The visitors made the brighter start and looked the more powerful outfit early on, with Edwill van der Merwe finishing off a well-constructed opening attack before Jean Smith added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Edinburgh responded through Ewan Ashman, who crashed over from close range, but the Sharks' pack continued to assert itself, earning penalties at scrum time and restoring their advantage when Phepsi Buthelezi powered over, again converted by Smith.

The home side stayed in the contest and struck back before the break, with Glen Young finishing a well-worked move to make it 14-14 at halftime.

The Sharks suffered a setback early in the match when scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was forced off injured, disrupting their rhythm, although their bench initially made an impact after the interval. Replacement prop Vincent Koch crashed over shortly after coming on to give the Sharks a 21-14 lead and put them in a strong position heading into the final quarter.

However, Edinburgh seized control from there. Mosese Tuipulotu sparked the comeback with a try to cut the deficit, before scrumhalf Hector Patterson went over following a charge-down to put the hosts in front for the first time.

With momentum firmly on their side, Edinburgh put daylight between the sides when Darcy Graham produced a brilliant individual finish, slicing through the defence to extend the lead to 33-21.

The Sharks did respond late, with Vincent Tshituka crossing in the closing stages to narrow the gap, but it proved too little, too late as their play-off hopes were firmly extinguished.

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