Sharks show enough verve to keep URC dreams alive, but worthy Benetton exploit cracks

The Sharks' play-off hopes in the URC (as well as the far loftier ideal of going all the way) remain intact following an entertaining if nervy 43-33 triumph over a worthy Benetton at Kings Park on Friday evening.

A maximum haul of five log points also means that they temporarily move into sixth position on the overall table pending Connacht and the Bulls' results later this weekend, while also dealing a body blow to the Italians' hopes.

Judging the wider implications of this performance very much depends on one's outlook.

Optimists will argue the Sharks' showed enough variety in terms of supreme forward power play and silky attacking nous among their playmakers in spurts to suggest that if they get their act together for longer, they'll be a handful.

RECAP | Sharks 43-33 Benetton

Pessimists (and realists to be honest) will once again bemoan the fact that the Durbanites lack the coherence and clear playing identity - Stormers and Springbok legend Schalk Burger made the point earlier this week - that renders them truly realistic contenders for the title their ambitious American owners crave.

The first half was a particularly painful affair to witness as the Sharks not only suffered from last weekend's hangover against Toulouse in conceding two tries within the first eight minutes - Joaquin Reira's punchy run into space and off-load to Nacho Brex for the second was particularly juicy - but also struggled to gain a foothold because they simply didn't seem to know what to do with the ball.

So static and unwieldy were their backline for the first 30 minutes that it really did seem as if they were trying to supply a ball to one of their Springbok backs amd then rely on them to create some form of magic.

As it would turn out, it was