The Hollywoodbets Sharks were made to work hard by ASM Clermont Auvergne in the first half; however, the Sharks dominated play in the second half, securing a 50-12 bonus-point win.
The bonus point the Sharks earned qualified them for a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup playoffs, but they have to wait until Sunday to see if they qualify for the Investec Champions Cup playoff. If Toulouse beats Sale Sharks, Toulouse will qualify for the playoffs of the Investec Champions Cup.
Clermont made a mistake at the kick-off, setting up the Sharks to attack with their big men. A clever kick by Jordan Hendrike was caught by Aphelele Fassie, who dotted down. Jordan Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 07-00 after two minutes of play.
Despite being down to fourteen players following a twenty-minute red card, a big mistake by Aphelele Fassi in his own in-goal area led to Clermont wing Joris Jurand dotting down after eleven minutes of play to reduce the Sharks’ lead to just two points.
After sixteen minutes of play, Jaden Hendrikse scored the Sharks' second try after they attacked the blind side off a dominant scrum. Jordan Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 14-05.
An absolutely stupid pass by Jordan Hendrikse was intercepted by Kylan Hamdaoui, who ran forty-five meters to score under the uprights. Lucas Zamora converted to reduce the Sharks’ lead to 14-12 with seven minutes still to play in the first half.
The Sharks started like a house on fire and set up camp in Clermont's red zone for several minutes. Eventually, it was Vincent Kock who crashed over the tryline. Jordan Hendrikse converted to restore the Sharks’ nine-point lead.
The match started to lose its structure; however, a kickpass by Aphelele Fassi was controlled by Phiko Sobahle, who ran forty-odd meters to score the Sharks' fourth and bonus-point try. Jordan Hendrikse converted, extending the Sharks' lead to 28-12 with thirty minutes still to play in the second half.
With twenty minutes to play, uncontested scrums were called due to Clermont running out of hookers.
With fifteen minutes to play, Clermont conceded several penalties, off which Aphelele Fassi took a quick tap and scored the Sharks’ fifth try. Siya Masuku converted to extend the Sharks’ lead to 35-12.
Thereafter, Siya Masuku, Phepsi Buthelezi and Jurenzo Julius added their names to the try scorers for the Sharks to secure a 45-12 win.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Aphelele Fassi (2), Jaden Hendrikse, Vincent Koch, Phiko Sobahle, Siya Masuku, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jurenzo Julius. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (4), Siya Masuku.
ASM Clermont Auvergne: Tries: Joris Jurand, Kylan Hamdaoui. Conversions: Lucas Zamora (2).
Teams
HollywoodbetsSharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 PK Sobahle, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Kylan Hamdaoui, 14 Yerim Fall, 13 Timeo Frier, 12 Alifereti Loaloa, 11 Joris Jurand, 10 Irae Simone, 9 Lucas Zamora, 8 Anthime Hemery, 7 Lucas Dessaigne, 6 Killian Tixeront (c), 5 Leo Michaux Vargas, 4 Thibaud Lanen, 3 Cristian Ojovan, 2 Étienne Fourcade, 1 Matheo Frisach. Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Giga Tutisani, 18 Giorgi Dzmanashvili, 19 Baptiste Veschambre, 20 Pio Muarua, 21 Niek Doornenbal, 22 Tom Raffy, 23 Axel Guillaud.