Ox Nche was the hero as the Hollywoodbets Sharks sunk Oyonnax Rugby with a comprehensive 38-07 win in a hot and humid Durban on Saturday in a Round 3 match of the EPCR Challenge Cup competition.
A brace from the Springbok prop Ox Nche got the Hollywoodbets Sharks in front, with wing Makazole Mapimpi adding another before half-time, and Curwin Bosch's boot providing two conversions to lead 19-00 at the halftime break.
They carried on pushing after the break, with further tries from centre Lukhanyo Am, confirming the bonus point in the 48th minute, flanker Lappies Labuschagne, then Mapimpi grabbing his second.
The visitors went into the match with only three tries to their credit in total, so may at least take some consolation that they managed to add to their tally, with prop Thibault Berthaud's effort at the start of the second half converted by Justin Bouraux. Oyonnax Rugby stay bottom of Pool 1.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Ox Nche (2), Makazole Mapimpi (2), Lukhanyo Am, Lappies Labuschagne. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5).
Oyonnax Rugby: Tries: Thibault Berthaud. Conversion: Justin Bouraux.
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 James Venter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Diego Appollis, 23 Eduan Keyter.
Oyonnax Rugby: 15 Justin Bouraux, 14 Joe Ravouvou, 13 Leo Treilles, 12 Pedro Bettencourt (captain), 11 Maxime Salles, 10 Jules Soulan, 9 Charlie Cassang, 8 Loic Godener, 7 Hugo Hermet, 6 Filimo Taofifenua, 5 Ewan Johnson, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Thibault Berthaud, 2 Benjamin Geledan, 1 Adrien Bordenave. Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Christopher Vaotoa, 19 Antonin Corso, 20 Ilan El Khattabi, 21 Souleymane Coulibaly, 22 Wandrille Picault, 23 David Odiase.
