The Highlanders went down to the Sharks at Carisbrook last night 30 points to 16 in challenging conditions.  

The Sharks opened the scoring in the 7th minute through a Ruan Pineear penalty and this was followed up by a try to Bismarck du Plessis in the 23rd minute.  The blindside flanker was tackled against the posts and the decision was referred to the TMO and the try eventually awarded.  The try was converted and this was countered by two Israel Dagg penalties to see the visitors leading at the halftime break by 10 points 6.

The second half saw a try each to both sides within 3 minutes - firstly Ben Smith for the Highlanders and then Stefan Terblanche for the Sharks.  The game was evenly balanced, with a key moment coming in the 75th minutes when replacement wing Fetu'u Vainikolo scored in the left hand corner, only for his try to be disallowed by the TMO.  The game was then put out of reach of the Highlanders when Adrian Jacobs intercepted a pass from a promising Highlanders movement, to score between the posts. 

Sharks 30 (B du Plessis 1 try, S Terblanche 1 try, A Jacobs 1 try, R Pienaar 3 pen, 2 con) Highlanders 16 (Ben Smith 1 try, Israel Dagg 3 pen, 1 con)

The Highlander now face the Lions at Carisbrook on Friday night.