The Hollywoodbets Sharks were simply too good for a belligerent Oyonnax Rugby in a third round EPCR Challenge match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, running out worthy 38-7 victors on Saturday afternoon.
Oyonnax left the winter of France and landed in a cauldron of fire, not only fighting the severe Durban heat and finding it to their distinct disadvantage, but up against a fired up Hollywoodbets Sharks side that had come to play and more importantly, to win.
The French side would have felt the effects of the brutal heat, Durban temperatures hovering around 40C all day and relentless during the game and they wilted under the pressure exacted by the home side in the demanding conditions.
Aphelele Fassi came out breathing fire and was involved in a number of early efforts, culminating in an effective kick chase, a break before offloading to Corne Rahl who fed Ox Nche, the forwards providing outstanding support before the Springbok prop went over, with Curwin Bosch adding the extras.
Oyonnax threatened for the next 10 minutes, remaining camped in our half and spending long periods in the 22, before being repelled too many times to turn momentum into points.
What followed was an impressive physical onslaught from the Hollywoodbets Sharks before Man of the Match Ox Nche received the ball at pace and there was no stopping him as went over the line for his second try to push the team into a 12-nil lead.
The third try came with five minutes of the half remaining, again Oyonnax spending some time in the Hollywoodbets Sharks 22 before being penalised on attack and a quick break from Grant Williams started the pressure, and then a kick upfield from the scrumhalf delivered a two horse race for the finish line, won comfortably by Makazole Mapimpi, with Bosch converting for a 19-nil lead.
The half ended with the Hollywoodbets Sharks applying the pressure and while there were no further points scored, the French were reeling behind a 19 point deficit against a side well in control of the game, having delivered a commanding first half performance.
The acid test would be to continue to perform as well in the second half and perform they did.
The French drew first blood inside the opening five minutes of the second half, kicking a penalty to touch and mauling the ball over from the attacking lineout to finally get on the scoreboard after 45 minutes. The conversion was good and the lead cut to 12 points.
It would be the only time they scored, despite threatening but unable to broach the defence.
Their try was cancelled out quickly and the bonus point secured when Lukhanyo Am scored the fourth try inside the next five minutes, the forwards initially harassing their opponents before the ball went wide and Werner Kok combined with his captain for the five-pointer.
A further five minutes on and try number five was awarded after a TMO referral, Jeandre Labuschagne smashing his way over to put the result beyond question, with Bosch converting from wide out to extend the lead to 31-7 with 25 minutes left to play.
The sixth and final try came a few minutes later, Oyonnax’s discipline continuing to cost them having had penalties turned over and a man sent to the sin bin, and quick reaction time from Grant Williams to send the ball wide to Mapimpi who went over for his second try, with Bosch converting from in front for a 38-7 lead as the game hit the final quarter.
Both sides threw everything into attack but despite some hard work, neither was able to add anything further on the scoreboard and the Hollywoodbets Sharks now take a strong position into the final pool match taking place next Sunday in Wales.