Leinster lose to Sharks for second defeat in a row

United Rugby Championship round twoSharks (14) 26Tries: Tshituka, L Bester, Esterhuizen, van der Merwe Cons: Moyo 3 Leinster (7) 20Tries: Henshaw, Clarkson, Osborne Cons: Gabriel Pens: PrendergastLeinster suffered a second defeat in a row at the start of the new season as the United Rugby Championship title holders went down 26-20 against the Sharks in a keenly contested encounter in Durban.Leo Cullen's side lost 27-26 to the Lions in their opening game of the campaign in Johannesburg, but they have at least managed to salvage three bonus points from the two fixtures as some consolation from their tour to South Africa.The young Leinster side competed well throughout but in a tough physical contest often found themselves outmuscled at the set-piece as their opponents enjoyed the ascendancy in the scrum.The Irish province opened the scoring as Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw dived over after accepting a pass from Fintan Gunne in the 16th minute, but the hosts responded and Manu Tshituka drove over the line to draw the Sharks level.Leinster were forced into a rearguard action on their line late in the half after Tom Clarkson was yellow-carded for repeated scrum collapses, and an acrobatic Lili Bester try in the corner gave the hosts a seven-point lead at the interval.The visitors responded positively at the start of the second half as prop Clarkson returned to the pitch to barge over for their second try.A penalty from Sam Prendergast put them in front after wing Ethan Hooker was penalised for going off his feet at a ruck, but the Sharks replied with two further touchdowns.Centre Andre Esterhuizen finished off a rapid counter-attack for an outstanding try as Leinster's lead lasted barely a minute, then Edwill van der Merwe scored an intercept try to put 11 between the sides, pouncing on a loose ball and racing clear.Leinster clinched their losing bonus point when wing Andrew Osborne collected Prendergast's kick in the corner and dotted down.The Irish side will aim to secure a first win of the URC season when they host Cardiff next Saturday, while the Sharks are away to the Stormers.Sharks: Giliomee, van der Merwe, Julius, Esterhuizen, L Bester, Moyo, J Hendrikse, Du Toit, Mnebelele, Koch, Jenkins, Landsberg, Buthelezi, E Tshituka, Hatton.Replacements: E Bester, Nche, Jacobs, Etzebeth, Romao, Van Zyl, Siyaya, Hooker.Leinster: Lawlor, T O'Brien, Cooney, Henshaw, A Osborne, Gabriel, Gunne, Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson, O'Tighearnaigh, Spicer, Baird, van der Flier, Ericson.Replacements: G McCarthy, Usanov, N Smyth, Deeny, C Mangan, Coffey, Prendergast, McLaughlin.