The Chiefs were denied two tries within the space of four minutes by the television match official as the Sharks hung on grimly for a 22-15 win in Hamilton last night.

Captain Liam Messam and replacement for the backline Mike Delany appeared to have scored tries as the match entered its final few frantc minutes.

Loose forward Messam thought he had grounded the ball in a try line scramble in the 74th minute, only to be told by the television match official that he had been held up.

Looking at other results of the games held last night: Western Force beat the Brumbies by 25-15 and the Bulls beat the Lions 16-9.

Looking at the points table after the third round of competition the Waratahs lead by 14 points second is the Sharks at 12 points and third is the Bulls on 10 points while the Hurricanes and the Brumbies are tied at 9 points in fourth position.

Another Super 14 match remains in the third round, at 6pm tonight the Reds host the Cheetahs in Brisbane at 6pm.