A young Hollywoodbets Sharks side had a baptism of fire against Lyon Olympique Universitaire in their EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 knock-out at Stade Gerland on Sunday as they went down 34-21 in a game small margins.
Visiting teams are given a torrid welcome when playing in France and the Hollywoodbets Sharks were treated no differently as Lyon pushed through to the quarter-finals with their win, doing what was necessary before taking the foot off the pedal.
It was a strong start from the visiting Durbanites who played with energy and intensity, immediately putting Lyon under pressure with some decisive runs, before their first entry into enemy 22 territory was rewarded with a penalty kicked to touch and from the maul, Fez Mbatha went over for the opening try, inside five minutes play and Siya Masuku’s conversion gave them a 7-nil lead.
Pressure in their 22 saw the Hollywoodbets Sharks concede a penalty shortly after the restart and Lyon had no compunction in kicking the three points.
Lyon opened their try-scoring tally 10 minutes later with a long build-up and then a good finish out wide to sneak into an 8-7 lead, the touchline conversion sliding wide.
Three minutes later, they doubled their try count, a well-placed 50-22 kick setting Lyon up and then after a couple of efforts, sneaking right through the middle of a ruck with no-one in place to defend, and with the conversion, the French took a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Just shy of the half hour mark, a TMO-referred try was confirmed as Lyon extended their lead to 15 points as their confidence started to grow.
Try number four came just before half-time as Lyon continued to apply pressure and from an attacking scrum, a set move saw the try-scorer race through the middle of the field untouched to extend the lead to 20 points and when the referee blew for the half-time break shortly afterwards, the home side enjoyed a 27-7 lead.
The third quarter probably favoured the Hollywoodbets Sharks who enjoyed times of territorial advantage, but they would have been frustrated by a combination of over-excitement and good defence from the home side as their efforts in the strike zone were thwarted.
The first try of the second half took until the 67th minute, again the TMO called to rule, this time for a possible obstruction, but he was happy with the build-up to Lyon’s try and the seven points took them into a 34-7 lead.
Corne Rahl scored moments later, a lovely break with some magic from Jurenzo Julius to keep the ball alive and then a strong run from Ethan Bester to get the ball behind the defence and into a try-scoring position, with Siya Masuku converting.
Tino Mavesere had the last word, breaking from a lineout on Lyon’s 10m line and combined athleticism and power as he sprinted 40m to score a superb try, the conversion cutting the deficit, albeit too late, but a pleasing way to finish and to show commitment to the 80th minute.