After completing the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup in top spot and earning the right to the knock-out stages, the Hollywoodbets Sharks take a deserved break from rugby to recharge.
The primary goal at the outset of the tournament would have been to play the kind of winning rugby that secured top spot in their pool and that has now been achieved.
A 29-9 victory closed out a productive four round campaign that concluded with a 17 point haul on the log, the joint highest in the competition and top of Pool A which translates into home ground advantage over Zebre on 5 April at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the Round of 16.
Four try bonus points were picked up in each of the four games they played, including the final match against Dragons RFC in Wales on Sunday evening.
Speaking after the match, Hollywoodbets Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell was delighted with the outcome of the game in difficult conditions.
“The preparation all week went well and we’re very happy with the result,” he admitted.
“To get a five-pointer away from home, our first away from home for the season, and back-to-back victories [after the win over Oyonnax the previous week in Durban] is great. It was a good performance in difficult conditions at Newport and we’re very happy to have secured a home game in the round of 16 and the quarter-finals.
He did admit that his team found the going tough in the opening stanza, but showed the guts and determination to fight back.
“For the first 30 minutes, it felt like the game wasn’t going our way at times, but credit to the boys for the composure they showed after a tough half hour to score twice and turn it around in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
“That gave us momentum and a good foundation to build on in the second half.
“We scored some good tries and there were good moments in the game when the forwards really stood up and gave the backs gain-line momentum to attack from.”
From a defence focal point, Powell admitted that he was really proud of the team for the way they stood up and defended their goal-line.
“It was also another good defensive performance not conceding any tries in an away game.
“We were fighting for a home game in the round of 16 and a home quarter-final and all credit to the boys and the team as well as the coaching staff for achieving this aim.”
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