Match Report: Sharks Go Down Fighting
12/17/2024 04:11 AM
The Leicester Tigers were too strong for a game Hollywoodbets Sharks touring team as the English side registered a 56-17 Investec Champions Cup week two victory on Saturday evening.
The game was tight in the opening quarter before the home side proved too clinical on attack and resolute on defence to power their way to their first win of the tournament. The scoreline doesn't reflect the efforts of the Durban side who made every effort to compete, but were ultimately undone by a Tigers' side that had come to play.
A disciplined effort from the Hollywoodbets Sharks kept them in a strong position and their determination forced Leicester into conceding the penalty that Siya Masuku sent through the posts to open the scoring, although the home side mauled the ball over the tryline soon afterwards as they scored the opening try, the touchline conversion giving them a 7-3 lead inside the first 10 minutes.
The response from the Hollywoodbets Sharks was as effective as it was impressive after Manu Tshituka smashed his way over after a series of rapid-fire pick-and-drives and with Masuku's pin-point conversion from the touchline, the Durban side held a three-point lead.
But Leicester struck back almost immediately, another driving maul from the lineout providing the reward that saw them retake the lead with Handre Pollard adding the extras to go ahead 14-10 at the 25-minute mark.
What should have been a sublime save to keep a penalty kicked to touch from going out sadly turned into a third try for the Tigers after a good chase and then the easiest of tries, the conversion taking them into a 21-10 lead on the half hour.
The bonus point try came up with five minutes of the high-intensity first half remaining, an admittedly electric attack from the home side going some way to erasing their first round blues.
The home side had been relentless in their pressure and having dominated territory and possession, there was no letting up as they went over for their fifth try with 20 seconds remaining for a 35-10 lead at the half-time break.
Leicester started out the second half like they had ended the first, a try off a quick-fire attack pushing them further ahead.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks tried earnestly and their attacks showed their determination to show fight in the game, but the defensive structure of the Tigers was persistent and they took numerous gains for effectively competing at the breakdown.
A lively effort from the Hollywoodbets Sharks saw them relentlessly smashing away at the Tigers' defence, before the ball was switched from the forwards to the backline and it was fitting that Ethan Hooker powered his way over for his team's second try, with Masuku adding the extras with the final quarter left to play.
Leicester made heavy work of their next try, camped in the Hollywoodbets Sharks' 22 but never quite able to make it count, falling short a number of times, before a sequence of pick-and-go efforts was rewarded in the 72nd minute for a 49-17 lead.
A try after full-time closed out a disappointing night for the tourists as Leicester hit the half century.
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