United Rugby Championship
Edinburgh (10) 17
Tries: Lang, Ritchie, Ashman Con: Thompson
Hollywoodbet Sharks (6) 18
Tries: Fassi, Mapimpi Con: Jordan Hendrikse Pens: Jordan Hendrikse 2
Makazole Mapimpi’s last-gasp try for the Sharks broke Edinburgh’s hearts and dented their hopes of qualifying for the United Rugby Championship play-offs.
Up against several double World Cup winners, Sean Everitt’s side turned in one of their best performances of the season and held firm until the clock was red and Springbok wing Mapimpi dived into the corner.
It was a sickening moment for the raucous fans at Hive Stadium, who had watched their side lead for much of the game, but end it with just one point and vulnerable to dropping out of the top eight.
They sit in seventh place with six teams below them within four points.
James Lang started the scoring for Edinburgh in spectacular fashion as he launched himself up and into the corner after nice hands out wide, and Jamie Ritchie touched down in a similar spot following good combination play with Matt Currie.
At that point Edinburgh looked increasingly confident in a ferocious and feisty contest, but two penalties from fly-half Jordan Hendrikse either side of Edinburgh’s tries meant Sharks trailed by just four at the break.
And a minute after the restart Lukhanyo Am made a break and put in Aphelele Fassi to give the Sharks the lead and remind everyone of their star quality.
However, a kick through minutes later resulted in Am going to the sin-bin for cynical play. And when he was joined by Springbok team-mate Eben Etzebeth and Edinburgh’s Sam Skinner following an almighty scrap, Edinburgh smelled blood.
Hooker Ewan Ashman crashed over a few phases after a tap penalty in front of the posts, and Ross Thompson converted to restore Edinburgh’s four-point lead.
Thirty intense, but scoreless, minutes followed and included Edinburgh being held up over the try line, before Sharks won a critical scrum penalty which gave them field position in the dying moments.
They took advantage ruthlessly. The forwards softened up the Edinburgh defence before Siya Musuku spun a perfect pass out to Mapimpi to fall over the line.
Another scrap ensued as tension boiled over, but it was Sharks who were left grinning as they stay in fourth place, now one point behind Bulls.
