The Hollywoodbets Sharks crashed out of the EPCR Challenge Cup, losing 29-12 against Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
The Sharks had a dominant start, setting up camp in Connacht’s half. After six minutes of play, Jean Smith converted a penalty to edge the Sharks 03-00 into the lead.
The Sharks continued applying pressure on the defence of Connacht, dominating possession and territory; however, they could not add any points to the scoreboard until Jean Smith converted a penalty to increase their lead to 06-00 after twenty minutes of play in the first half.
Connacht replied immediately when they attacked down the middle, and after spreading the ball wide of a maul, Chay Mullins scored Connacht’s first try. Sam Gilbert converted the try to claim a 07-06 lead for Connacht after twenty-three minutes of play in the first half.
With time running out in the first half, Jean Smith converted another two penalties to edge the Sharks 12-07 into the lead, which was also the halftime score.
Connacht had a much better start to the second half, and following wave after wave of attacks, Josh Murphy bulldozed his way over the Sharks' tryline. Connacht led 14-12 following the conversion by Sam Gilbert after eight minutes of play in the second half.
Connacht continued the physical onslaught, and after fifteen minutes of play in the second half, Shamus Hurley-Langton crashed over for Connacht's third try to extend their lead to 19-12.
Cathal Forde crashed through several tackles to run twenty meters to score Connacht's fourth try of the match, which was converted by Sam Gilbert to extend Connacht’s lead to 26-12 and fifteen minutes still to play in the second half.
Sam Gilbert converted a penalty with ten minutes still to play to extend Connacht’s lead to 29-12, which was also the final score.
Scorers:
Connacht: Tries: Chay Mullins, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Cathal Forde. Conversions: Sam Gilbert (3). Penalty: Sam Gilbert
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Penalties: Jean Smith (4).
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Chay Mullins, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Matthew Devine, 8 Cian Prendergast (c), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Joe Joyce, 3 Sam Illo, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Billy Bohan. Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Paul Boyle, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 Sean Naughton, 23 John Devine.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Ethan Hooker.