The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV kicked their Carling Currie Cup campaign off with a 26-24 bonus point victory over the Airlink Pumas in a match where the advantage switched after long periods of dominance, but a brave effort was rewarded with a result that underpins the hard work and talent in the side.
After successfully weathering an early onslaught from the hosts and losing Jannes Potgieter to a knee injury in the opening minutes, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, having seen little of the ball, conceded the first try of the game in the ninth minute with the Airlink Pumas enjoying the lions share of possession in the opening stanza.
The ebb and flow of momentum turned in the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV favour following a lineout steal, the ball being sent down the line at pace and Lyle Matthews finishing off well in the corner, handing Tim Swiel a difficult touchline conversion, the flyhalf stepping up and converting well to hand his team a 7-5 lead in the 22nd minute.
The home side would trail for the remainder of the match.
Matthews went over for his second a few minutes later, the home side having fluffed the kick-off and from thereon in, it was one way traffic from a fiercely determined Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team who were only going one way and that was to the touchline for a 12-5 lead just before the half-hour mark.
As the half-time break loomed large, penalty advantage accrued off an attacking scrum on the Airlink Pumas’ 22 and who was the man who ran on to Ross Braude’s pass but the debutant Lyle Matthews who went over for his hat-trick, with Swiel converting for a 19-5, three try to one lead.
Matthews, locally schooled, was deputy head boy of Curro Hillcrest in 2021 and certainly has a nose for the tryline. The young left wing is an exciting prospect and certainly someone to keep an eye on after his elevation as captain of the Hillcrest Villages 1st XV to the provincial side.
Four minutes into the second half, a scrum penalty was sent deep into enemy territory with pinpoint accuracy from Swiel, and from the lineout maul, Kerron van Vuuren emerged from the bottom, having scored the bonus point try, with Swiel adding the two for a 21-point lead.
Having enjoyed precious little in the way of opportunities, the home side final hit gold with another unconverted try, and then struck again a few minutes later, this time the try was converted to cut the deficit to nine points with just under a quarter of the game left to play.
A third try in quick succession turned the game on its head after a high tempo attack to reduce the lead to just two points but a masterclass in closing out a game delivered the bonus point victory as the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV forwards took the ball through an incredible 27 successful phases until the hooter sounded for the end of 80 exciting minutes and the ball was launched into the stands to seal a deserved victory away from home.
Carling Champions Man of the Match Lyle Matthews said afterwards, “Three weeks ago I was playing Club rugby, this is just amazing! Big grit was shown by the boys today under a lot of pressure.”
Thomas Dyer, Hollywoodbets Sharks XV captain admitted that there was some anxiety around the outcome of the game, but was thrilled with the courage and grit shown by his team.
“That was nerve-racking, but we got the goal and secured the victory,” he said.
“We controlled the first 50 minutes but their bench had a massive impact, so well done to the Airlink Pumas for fighting back under pressure.
“The boys dug deep and we had some dark places behind the poles when they were on top of us, but the boys really showed care in those last five minutes to control the ball.
“I’m so so proud of the boys for getting the win!”
