Stirring comeback sets up Sharks victory

A stirring comeback earned Coastal Sharks a 27-22 victory over previously unbeaten Queensland Reds in the Super 15 at a drenched Kings Park Saturday. The defending champions built an early 17-point lead despite losing star goal kicker Mike Harris, who limped off midway through the first half having added only two points to the 51 in the three previous rounds this season. By half-time the Sharks had narrowed the gap to four points and they snatched the lead, lost it, and got back in front again during seven frenetic second-half minutes in this Indian Ocean city. It was the second successive home win for the Sharks after starting the campaign with two losses on the road in South Africa, while it was the first setback for the Reds after three wins on the trot in Australia. Replacement lock Jandre Marais, number eight and skipper Keegan Daniel and full-back Riaan Viljoen scored tries for the Durban franchise with fly-half Patrick Lambie converting all three and slotting two penalty goals. Hooker James Hanson, flank Scott Higginbotham and replacement scrum-half Nick Frisby were the Reds' try scorers, centre Harris kicked a conversion and fly-half Ben Lucas a conversion and a penalty. Despite the loss, the Reds are best placed among the five Australian title contenders -- three points adrift of early pacesetters Otago Highlanders of New Zealand and Western Stormers of South Africa. Sharks, who begin a four-match Australasia tour against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney next Saturday, have accumulated two points less than the Reds, who defeated seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders in the 2011 decider. "I was proud of the way my boys finished after a slack first half hour," said Daniel. "It always feels so much better going on tour with a good win under your belt." Reds captain and lock James Horwill said: "The early loss of Mike Harris was a major blow although we should have adapted better to the conditions and this loss means our game at the Bulls next weekend becomes even more crucial." Queensland wing Digby Ioane was yellow carded in first half stoppage time for lifting and dropping flank Marcel Coetzee and Lambie goaled the penalty to leave the Sharks 13-17 behind at half-time after Lwazi Mvovo had a try ruled out. Daniel put the home team ahead for the first time with a 54th-minute try, Frisby responded by diving over in the corner to make it 22-20 for the Reds only for Viljoen to cross the line and Lambie converted to close the scoring.