Leicester Tigers dominated the Hollywoodbets Sharks to secure a well-deserved bonus point 56-17 win on Saturday, securing their first win of the 2024/25 win of the Investec Champions Cup season.
Despite claiming the opening three points of the tie from the penalty spot, the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ lead did not last as long as they would have hoped.
Leicester Tigers had already got their first try of the afternoon through Julian Montoya on nine minutes.
But a Manu Tshituka response was just what the South Africans needed to bring themselves back into the lead at the 20-minute mark.
However, it was a dangerously positioned line-out which meant that the ball eventually found its way out the side of the maul for Montoya to heave over his second of the day.
Ollie Hassell-Collins was soon to add to the hosts’ lead after making the most of an unfortunate Sharks mis-catch, swooping in to claim his side’s third.
The celebrations weren’t over for Tigers who, courtesy of a rapid Solomone Kata run, saw themselves claim the bonus point before the break.
A nifty final try for the hosts from Handre Pollard sealed the side’s fifth try leading 35-10 at the halftime break.
It took Leicester only three minutes in the second half to extend their lead to 42-10 with a try for scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet, converted by Handre Pollard.
The following fifteen minutes was an arm wrestle with the Sharks patiently clawing their way back into contention. The Sharks set up camp for an extended period which led to centre Ethan Hooker picking up a horrible pass off his ankles to burst through the defence of Leicester to cut the hosts' lead to 17-24.
A penalty following a yellow card shown to Ntuthuko Mchunu was taken quickly and replacement hooker Charlie Clare bulldozed his way over for Leicester's seventh try.
Leicester refused to show the Sharks some mercy and scored their eighth try with the time up, to secure the 56-17 win.
Scorers:
Leicester Tigers: Tries: Julian Montoya (2), Ollie Hassell-Collins, Solomone Kata, Handre Pollard, Jack van Poortvliet, Charlie Clare, Emeka Ilione. Conversions: Handre Pollard (6), Jamie Shillcock (2).
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Manu Tshituka, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Siya Masuku. Penalties: Siya Masuku (2).
Teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Josh Bassett, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 George Martin, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Nicky Smith. Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Cronin, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Emeka Ilione, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Jamie Shillcock, 23 Joe Woodward.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne’ Rahl, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Diego Appollis, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
