Match Report – Gloucester 22 – 36 Sharks

Phepsi Buthelezi, Aphelele Fassi and Makazole Mapimpi scored tries, whereas Siya Masuku kicked three conversions and 5 penalties as South Africa’s Sharks defeated Gloucester 36-22 within the 2024 European Problem Cup ultimate at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Gloucester’s intention of ending a blended season with a second piece of silverware was ended with a 36-22 defeat by the Sharks within the Problem Cup ultimate.

Other than a dominant opening 10 minutes and vigorous end, George Skivington’s aspect had been conclusively outplayed in entrance of a 34,761 crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Gloucester had lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup earlier this season and – after enduring a club-record 9 successive Gallagher Premiership losses – Skivington selected to deal with Europe on the expense of the league.

That led to a weakened sided being fielded in opposition to Northampton earlier this month and a 90-0 demolition adopted with Skivington hoping the juggling of taking part in assets would pay dividends.

However as an alternative Gloucester had been effectively overwhelmed with late tries by Santiago Socino and Freddie Clarke giving the ultimate scoreline a kinder sheen as Jonny Could’s farewell match failed to supply a scripted ending.

The Sharks are the primary South African aspect to win a European competitors and the foundations for his or her victory had been laid by the ‘Bomb Squad’ front-row mixture of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch.

Though they went on to dominate, they spent the opening 10 minutes defending their line with centre Chris Harris going closest to drawing first blood solely to fall inches quick with an outstretched hand.

Aphelele Fassi was despatched to the sin-bin for offside because the South African aspect started to buckle however as soon as the storm had been weathered, they superior downfield and had been off the mark via a Siya Masuku penalty.

A monster kick by scrum-half Caolan Englefield noticed Gloucester draw stage, however having matched the Sharks within the physicality stakes, they then waved via No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi for a mushy strive.

Over went two extra penalties from Masuku as his aspect took to squeezing their opponents and taking the factors once they grew to become out there.

Siya Masuku kicked beautifully off the tee for South Africa’s Sharks, touchdown three conversions and 5 penalties

A dominant scrum early within the second half gave Gloucester hope they may flip the tide however then as they regarded to construct stress, Zach Mercer gave an intercept go to Grant Williams to place the Sharks again on the offensive.

Williams’ break was the prelude to a different spell of Sharks ascendency that was underscored by three extra penalties and a strive from Fassi that was the product of fluid assault.

Gloucester hit again with a maul strive completed by Albert Tuisue however their failure to take care of a kick opened the door for Makazole Mapimpi to assemble a pinpoint Masuku chip and contact down.

Late tries from Socino and Clarke gave the English membership scoreboard respectability, but it surely had been a disappointing night time.