By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Hollywoodsbets Sharks saw their faint hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship playoffs came to an end after a 33-28 defeat to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday.
The visitors headed to the Scottish capital needing to win all three of their final league games and hope results went their way elsewhere.
But they fell short in their attempt make it a fifth successive win over an Edinburgh side already out of the play-off running.
Ewan Ashman, Glen Young and Mosese Tuipulotu matched tries from Edwill van der Merwe, Pepsi Buthelezi and Vincent Koch.
Then a breakaway try from Hector Patterson put the hosts ahead for the first time and another from Darcy Graham soon after turned the game on its head.
Vincent Tshituka touched down in the final seconds to secure a losing bonus point, but it could not deny Edinburgh back-to-back wins for the first time since May.
They next face Benetton and Zebre at Kings Park.
Scores
Edinburgh 33 – Tries: Ewan Ashman, Glen Young, Mosese Tuipoluto, Hector Patterson and Darcy Graham; Conversions: Cammy Scott 2 and and Ross Thompson 2.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 28 – Tries: Edwill van der Merwe, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Koch and Vincent Tshituka; Conversions: Jean Smith 4.
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt told Premier Sports: “Anything can happen a game of rugby and it was not too comfortable.
“But I am proud of how the guys stuck to their task.
“When the pressure if off, you do have more confidence.
The team together and talked about what they wanted to do in the final games of the season and they wanted to make the fans proud and I think they did that tonight.”