Cell C Sharks made it two wins from two in the Heineken Champions Cup after beating Bordeaux-Bègles 19-16 in a brutal battle on Friday.
Bordeaux-Bègles had a good start, with a yellow card shown to the Cell C Sharks giving them enough of an edge to score an early try. However, the Cell C Sharks clawed their way back into the match only trailing 06-10 at the end of the first quarter. An arm wrestle between the two sides who did not ask nor gave an inch.
The Cell C Sharks are struggling to cope with the pressure applied by Bordeaux-Bègles in the second quarter, however, both teams are still in the game with the hosts going into the second half with a 13-09 lead.
A definite momentum shift in the third quarter with the Cell C Sharks scoring the only points of the quarter and deservedly taking the lead with 16-13. The Cell C Sharks' forward dominance continued to increase with Bordeaux-Bègles forced to defend for most of the third quarter.
The battle continued to be brutal in every aspect as both teams attacked and defended with purpose and grit. The Cell C Sharks' performance during the fourth quarter made them the deserved 19-16 winner to make it two wins from two matches in the Heineken Champions Cup
Scorers:
Bordeaux-Bègle: Try: Renato Giammarioli. Conversion: Jules Gimbert. Penalties: Jules Gimbert (2), Zack Holmes.
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Werner Kok. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Curwin Bosch (3). Dropgoal: Curwin Bosch.
As it happened:
04:12 Werner Kok (Cell C Sharks) was sent off with a yellow card.
06:54 Renato Giammarioli scored Bordeaux-Bègles' first try. Bordeaux-Bègles attacked from a 5m lineout-aul as several players supported Renato Giammarioli to force his way over the tryline. (07-00)
10:34 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty for the Cell C Sharks. (07-03)
13:56 Curwin Bosch converted a dropgoal for the Cell C Sharks. (07-06)
17:30 Jules Gimbert converted a penalty for Bordeaux-Bègle. (10-06)
30:08 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty for the Cell C Sharks. (10-09)
31:31 Jules Gimbert converted a penalty for Bordeaux-Bègle. (13-09)
48:02 Werner Kok scored the Cell C Sharks' first try. The Cell C Sharks eventually scored the try risking 3 penalties to convert in order to cross the whitewash. (13-16)
65:03 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty for the Cell C Sharks. (13-19)
67:07 Zack Holmes converted a penalty for Bordeaux-Bègle. (16-19)
76:06 Christopher Vaotoa (Bordeaux-Bègles) was shown a yellow card.
Teams
Bordeaux-Bègles: 15. Nans Ducuing, 14. Geoffrey Cros, 13. Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12. Federico Mori, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Zack Holmes, 9. Jules Gimbert, 8. Caleb Timu, 7. Antoine Miquel, 6. Renato Giammarioli, 5. Jandré Marais (c), 4. Cyril Cazeaux, 3. Vadim Cobilas, 2. Clement Maynadier, 1. Lekso Kaulashvili. Replacements: 16. Maxime Lamothe, 17. Ben Tameifuna, 18. Christopher Vaotoa, 19. Alban Roussel, 20. Tom Willis, 21. Santiago Cordero, 22. Matéo Garcia, 23. Rémi Lamerat.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Boeta Chamberlain, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Francois Venter, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Makazola Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phendulani Buthelezi, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Lukhanyo Am.
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