The Western Force's long-range plan to snatch the Australian conference lead in Super Rugby have been dealt a blow with a 37-12 loss to the Sharks in Durban.
Pointing to the tightness of the Australian conference this week, the Force declared their aim was to run down leaders the Brumbies.
Despite no Australian team having more than three wins after round 11, the loss doesn't knock the Force out of contention, who have a game in hand over the remaining six rounds.
The Brumbies have 18 points and lead the NSW Waratahs by four, followed by Queensland (11), the Force (9) and Melbourne (7).
A freakish try down the touchline from Sharks five-eighth Curwin Bosch effectively sealed the four-tries-to-two win with 25 minutes play, though both sides would cross again in a game littered with errors, turnovers, and missed tackles.
Fittingly, a knock-on from the Sharks in attack ended the game, coming moments after the Force did the same after 17 phases on the hosts' line.
The talented Bosch finished with 20 points from his try, three penalty goals, and three conversions.
Bosch opened the scoring with two penalties but it was the Force who crossed the line first.
Exciting young winger James Verity-Amm showed some outstanding pace to slice through the Sharks' defence and score his first Super Rugby try.
The firsts continued just before the break when Sharks inside centre Jeremy Ward crashed over next to the posts for his maiden Super Rugby try while Force centre Curtis Rona was off with a yellow card.
Flanker Jean-Luc du Preez also crossed on the stroke of halftime, to give the Sharks a 20-7 lead at the break.
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