A tense match between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster had to be decided by a place-kick competition after the teams were level 24-24 after extra time. A missed conversion attempt by Rory Scannell sent the Hollywoodbets Sharks into a semi-final against the Vodacom Bulls next weekend.
Munster opened the scoring after ten minutes of play in the first half, when Calvin Nash scored from a brilliant kick-pass by fly-half Jack Crowley. Crowley converted for Munster to lead 07-00.
The rest of the first was an arm wrestle with both sides struggling to put phases together on the attack, and Munster led 07-00 at the halftime break. Both teams seem a bit scared to attack and take chances, making the first half a bit of a bore.
The Sharks showed more intend early in the second half and it led to winger Ethan Hooker scoring a brilliant individual try after four minutes of play in the second half, to level the scores following a conversion by Jordan Hendrikse.
The Sharks started to dominate, using their forwards to break down Munster's defensive wall. This eventually led to Jordan Hendrikse converting a penalty after six minutes of play in the second half.
However, Munster's reply was quick, as they launched a fifteen-man attack from the kick-off that started in their half when prop Josh Wycherley crashed over for Munster's second try. Munster led 14-10 with twenty-three minutes still to play.
Three minutes later, Makazole Mapimpi's mistake led to Munster's winger Diarmuid Kilgallen toed the ball forward and scored Munster's second try to extend their lead to 21-10 following the two points added by Jack Crowley.
The Sharks returned to using their big boys and patiently built the pressure on Munster's tryline, and following several scrum penalties, Aphelele Fassi scored a much-needed penalty to cut Munster's lead to four points and twelve minutes to play.
Six minutes later, a charging Sharks attacked off a great lineout and Fez Mbatha ran a brilliant line to crash over for the Sharks' third try. Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 24-21.
With four minutes to play, Conor Murray converted a penalty to level the scores (24-24) and all to play for. Following a hectic final four minutes, the match moved into extra time.
Both sides reverted to a conservative kicking game plan, however, the Sharks started to dominate, but could not convert pressure into points as time ran out in the first ten minutes of extra time.
A mistake by the Sharks off the kick-off gave Munster possession just outside the Sharks' 22m. The Sharks absorbed the pressure and fought their way back into Munster's half with five minutes still to play. However, no points were scored, and the match will be decided by a place-kick competition.
First up was Jaden Hendrikse, who converted from in front of the poles. Jack Crowley also converted. Jordan Hendrikse converted from fifteen meters from the touchline, and Rory Scannell missed. Bradley Davids converted from the other side of the field, and Connor Murray also converted.
Jaden Hendrikse converted from the 10m line, same position, and Jack Crowley made it 4-3 for the Sharks. Jordan Hendrikse converted, making it 5-3 for the Sharks. Rory Scannell converted. Bradley Davids are on target, sending the Hollywoodbets Sharks into a semi-final against the Vodacom Bulls next weekend.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Fez Mbatha. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3). Penalty: Jordan Hendrikse.
Munster Rugby: Tries: Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Kilgallen. Conversions: Jack Crowley (3). Penalty: Conor Murray.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Munster Rugby: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Mike Haley.