Challenge Cup – Hollywoodbets Sharks Beat Zebre Parma In Try Fest

 

It was seventh heaven for Hollywoodbets Sharks as they sailed into the quarter-final of the EPCR Challenge Cup, defeating Zebre Parma 47-3 and running in seven tries in the process.

First-half tries from Vincent Tshituka, Werner Kok and Corne Rahl - all converted by Siya Masuku - sent them in 18 points ahead at the break.

That was despite Tiff Eden's fifth-minute penalty giving the visitors some early hope.

Aphelele Fassi got the flow of points started again in the second half, with efforts from Phepsi Buthelezi and Ethan Hooker plus two more conversions from Masuku adding to the scoreline.

Curwin Bosch finished things off in the 74th minute, crossing and then converting his own try.

Hollywoodbets Sharks came into the match with back-to-back home URC victories over Ulster Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby and coasted on that momentum.

They will now face Edinburgh Rugby once more - this time, in the last eight of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Vincent Tshituka, Werner Kok, Corne Rahl, Aphelele Fassi, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ethan Hooker, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Siya Masuku (5), Curwin Bosch.
Zebre Parma: Penalty: Tiff Eden.

Teams:

Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Francois Venter

Zebre Parma: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Franco Smith, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Tiff Eden, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Davide Ruggeri, 7 Josh Kaifa, 6 Guido Volpi, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dave Sisi (c), 3 Juan-Manuel Pitinari, 2 Giampietro Ribaldi, 1 Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Luca Rizzoli, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Leonardo Krumov, 20 Giovanni Licata, 21 Thomas Dominguez, 22 Jacopo Trulla, 23 Bautista Stavile Bravin