Pepsi Buthelezi, Ofelele Phasi and Makazole Mapimpi scored tries and Siya Masuku kicked three objectives and 5 penalties as South Africa’s Sharks beat Gloucester 36-22 within the 2024 European Problem Cup closing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Final up to date: 24/05/24 22:57
The Sharks received the European Problem Cup with a win over Gloucester.
Gloucester’s purpose to finish the blended season with a second silverware was dashed by a 36-22 defeat to the Sharks within the Problem Cup closing.
Barring a dominant opening 10 minutes and a blistering end, George Skivington’s aspect had been decisively outplayed in entrance of a crowd of 34,761 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Gloucester received the Premier League Rugby Cup earlier this season and – after struggling Gallagher’s club-record 9 Premier League defeats – Skivington determined to concentrate on Europe on the expense of the league.
That led to a depleted aspect being fielded in opposition to Northampton earlier this month, adopted by a 90-0 run, with Skivington hoping the juggling of recreation assets would pay dividends.
However as a substitute Gloucester had been nicely crushed with late tries from Santiago Sassin and Freddie Clark giving the scoreline a nicer gloss as Jonny Might’s farewell match failed to provide a scripted finale.
The Sharks are the primary South African aspect to win the European competitors and the foundations for his or her victory had been laid by the Bomb Squad’s entrance row mixture of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbanambi and Vincent Koch.
Though they continued to dominate, they spent the primary 10 minutes defending their line with heart Chris Harris coming closest to drawing first blood however lacking by inches with an outstretched arm.
Ofelele Phasi was despatched off for offside because the South African aspect started to concede, however as soon as the storm had handed they pushed down and had been outmatched by Siya Masuku’s penalty.
Caolan Englefield’s scrum-half terrific sort out noticed Gloucester degree however, matching the Sharks within the bodily stakes, they then waved by means of No.8 Pepsi Buthelezi for a mushy attempt.
Two extra penalties from Masuku adopted as his aspect pressed their opponents and took the factors once they turned accessible.
Siya Masuku struck the ball brilliantly for South Africa’s Sharks with three conversions and 5 penalties
A dominant scrum early within the second half gave Gloucester hope they might flip issues round, however then, as they seemed to extend the strain, Zach Mercer intercepted Grant Williams to get the Sharks again on the assault.
Williams’ break was the prelude to a different interval of ascendancy for the Sharks, which was highlighted by three extra penalties and a attempt from Fassi, which was the results of a fluid assault.
Gloucester hit again with a hammer end by Albert Tuisue, however their failure to cope with the kick opened up the chance for Makazole Mapimpi to gather Masuku’s pinpoint chip and contact down.
Late tries from Sosin and Clarke gave the English membership respectability on the scoreboard, however it was a disappointing evening.