The Hollywoodbets Sharks thought they had the game in the bag when they led 32-20 with five minutes left to play. However, the Scarlets struck back with a try and despite throwing everything at the defence of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the final seconds of the match the Hollywoodbets Sharks held on to win 32-27.
In an evenly contested match, two tries scored by Hollywoodbets Sharks' winger Werner Kok from kick-passes by Siya Masuku proved to be the difference between the two evenly matched teams. This win was the Hollywoodbets' fourth win in this 2023/24 URC season.
The Scarlets started like a house on fire and converted a penalty within the first two minutes of the match, however, the Hollywoodbets Sharks struck back almost immediately when brilliant hands by Lukhanyo Am sent Werner Kok away to score an easy try in the corner to lead 07-03.
Sam Costelow added a second penalty to which Siya Masuku replied with a converted penalty for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to extend their lead to 10-06 after thirteen minutes of play in the first half.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks "dominated" the following five minutes until a mistake on the defence by the Hollywoodbets Sharks allowed the Scarlets to start an attack from within their half which ended with a great team try scored by hooker Ryan Elias on the other end of the pitch to take the lead with 12-10.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks started to use the maul with great effect and bullied their hosts until Vincent Koch bulldozed his way over the tryline just before the end of the first half to retake the lead 20-13 going into the second half.
Prop Kemsley Mathias scored the Scarlets' second try with the help of his teammates to level the scores 20-20 after ten minutes of play in the second half.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks struck back five minutes later when Werner Kok caught a brilliant kick-pass by Siya Masuku to score his second try of the match in his 50th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks. The Hollywoodbets Sharks led 27-20 with twenty-five minutes still to play in the second half.
In a replay of the Sharks' third try by Werner Kok, he once again caught a Siya Masuku kick-pass to score in the corner for his third try and the bonus point try for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to extend their lead to 32-20 and five minutes left to play.
The Scarlets struck back immediately when the Hollywoodbets Sharks could not control the kickoff. Fullback Ioan Nicholas went over in the corner to reduce the visitors' lead to 32-27. The Hollywoodbets Sharks held on during the hectic final minutes of the match to secure the win.
Scorers:
Scarlets: Tries: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Ioan Nicholas. Conversions: Sam Costelow (3). Penalties: Sam Costelow (2).
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Werner Kok (3), Vincent Koch. Conversions: Siya Masuku (3). Penalties: Siya Masuku (2).
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Tomi Lewis, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Morgan Jones, 3 Sam Wainwright, 2 Ryan Elias (c), 1 Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Price, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Ryan Conbeer.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter.