The Hollywoodbets Sharks beat Zebre Parma 35-34 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, and although they entered the match as firm favourites, Zebre made them work hard, with the Sharks scoring the winning points with their fifth try to edge Parma with four minutes still to play.
Siya Kolisi scored the Sharks first try after just three minutes of play, which was followed by a try by Jurenzo Julius eight minutes later to lead 14-00, whereafter Zebre stormed back into contention to score tries by winger Gesi Alessandro and loosie Giacomo Ferrarito level the scores in the second quarter and then kicked into the lead when Bok finisher Makazole Mapimpi was sent to the sin bin, flyhalf Giovanni Montemauri kicking a penalty to make it 17-14.
Kolisi scored his second try with minutes still to play, followed by a bonus point try by Vincent Koch to extend their lead to 28-17 at the halftime break.
Zebre fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli scored two tries in quick succession to lead 31-28 after just ten minutes of play in the second half. A penalty was converted by Montemauri which extended Zebre's lead to 34-28 with eighteen minutes still to play.
Following a yellow card to prop Muhamed Hasa the Sharks pounced and centre Ethan Hooker dotted down in the corner. Jordan Hendrikse converted to secure a sloppy 35-34 win with five minutes still to play in the second half.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Siya Kolisi (2), Jurenzo Julius, Vincent Koch, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (5).
Zebre Parma: Tries: Gesi Alessandro, Giacomo Ferrarito, Geronimo Prisciantelli (2). Conversions: Giovanni Montemauri (4). Penaties: Giovanni Montemauri (2).
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Zebre Parma: 15 Geronimo Prisciantelli (c), 14 Scott Gregory, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Gesi Alessandro, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Davide Ruggeri, 7 Luca Andreani, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 5 Matteo Canali, 4 Francesco Ruffolo, 3 Juan Pitinari, 2 Tommaso di Barolomeo, 1 Luca Rizzoli. Replacements: 16 Giampietro Ribaldi, 17 Muhamed Hasa, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Leonard Krumov, 20 Bautista Stavile, 21 Jacopo Bianchi, 22 Thomas Dominguez, 23 Enrico Lucchin.