Leicester Tigers have claimed a bonus-point 56-17 victory against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the Investec Champions Cup.
A first-half flurry of tries, including a double from captain Julián Montoya and five conversions from Handré Pollard saw Tigers take a 35-10 lead at the break, an advantage they would capitalise on in the second stanza.
It was the visitors who impressed early however, Sharks fly half Siya Masuku slotting an excellent penalty from close to the halfway line, on the angle to take the lead.
Tigers responded with Montoya’s first try, a calm finish at the back of a rapidly advancing maul. Pollard converted to make it 7-3.
The Sharks weren’t going away though, and No. 8 Manu Tshituka wrestled back the lead not long after, Masuku also converting.
Leicester never looked back after that wake-up call however.
Montoya got his second, again the maul doing the damage, and then Ollie Hassell-Collins got in on the act. Pollard’s touch-finder from a penalty was kept in by the Sharks, but the effort was pinched by the Tigers winger and he scored the most unlikely try.
Solomone Kata’s try, Tigers fourth, was superb. With Leicester shifting through the gears in attack, Kata looked covered by Sharks’ defence, but a signature fend and quick takeoff meant Kata ran in untouched to lock up the bonus-point.
Not to be outdone, Pollard made it five tries just before the break. After a series of top class offloads from Jack van Poortvliet and George Martin, Pollard was the one who has the honour of running in what was the pick of the first-half tries.
Pollard kicked the conversion to remain a perfect five out of five off the tee.
Tigers went hunting for more after the break, and after providing for the last score, van Poortvliet got his name on the score sheet, the classy scrum-half spotting a gap in the Sharks retreating defence.
Pollard kicked the simple extras to make it 42-10.
Sharks got a second try, but it was Tigers night, and Leicester went searching for a seventh, the score eventually coming from replacement hooker Charlie Clare.
Jamie Shillcock added the extras, the score now 49-17. Tigers added a final try at the end of the match, the final score 56-17.
Commentary
FULL TIME HERE
Leicester Tigers are triumphant in a first-ever meeting with Hollywoodbets Sharks, scoring eight tries in this Investec Champions Cup clash.
Full time score: Leicester Tigers 56 - 17 Hollywoodbets Sharks
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock adds a simple two points and final whistle goes.
TRY | GEORGE MARTIN
Both sides fight to the end for the closing score and it's the hosts that secure it, breaking the 50 points barrier in the process.
In classic Tigers fashion, the rolling maul kicks things off, rumbling to within centremetres of the line.
From there it's just a succession of pick and gos until Martin fires over from short range to finish the match.
SUBSTITUTION | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Prop Phatu Ganyane replaces Ntuthuko Mchunu.
There are cheers here as it's announced over the speakers that Investec Player of the Match has been awarded to Handré Pollard
75
HENDERSON MAKES HIS MARK
Two strong shots reintroduce the lock to competitive rugby, the second a superb spear that gets the crowd off it's feet.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock adds the extras from close range.
TRY | CHARLIE CLARE
Replacement hooker Clare dives low and burrows his way over from the tap penalty, Leicester's seventh score of the game.
YELLOW CARD | Ntuthuko Mchunu
As Sharks clear their lines and Tigers come again, prop Mchunu is sent to the sin bin.
69
SO CLOSE
From the set piece, Solomone Kata pinballs off of two players to make metres in midfield before being brought down.
George Martin (incorrectly listed as having exited the field, Henderson in fact replaced Harry Wells) crashes up tremendously and gets Tigers to within an inch of the line.
Youngs takes his time, steps out and flicks a pass out the back to Cracknell, who just loses control as he's about to place it down for a stupendous score.
Scrum Sharks in the 22.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
That'll be Pollard's last act as the Springbok is withdrawn, he and Nicky Smith replaced by Jamie Shillcock and James Whitcombe.
65
OHC Close to a second score
Hassell-Collins almost goes over in the corner after slick hands from Pollard but is dragged into touch at the last possible moment.
The Sharks are granted a reprieve as Leicester lose the ball, cleared long to the halfway line.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
Rousing ovation as Cameron Henderson returns to the field at Mattioli Woods Welford Road after almost a full year out of action.
He replaces George Martin.
CONVERSION | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Masuku adds another two points to the scoreboard.
TRY | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
The visitors get a second half score, a couple of short carries opening space to pull it out the back, centre Ethan Hooker running over.
SUBSTITUTION | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Tino Mavesere replaces try scoring No. 8 Manu Tshituka.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Ben Youngs and Charlie Clare replace try scorers van Poortvliet and Montoya.
53
TIGERS DEFENCE STAYS STRONG
Young centre Joe Woodward makes a crunching hit out wide to drive back a charging Shark before Smith and Reffell combine in midfield to win a scrum through a forced knock on.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Tigers bring on Dan Cole and Emeka Ilione in place of Joe Heyes and Hanro Liebenberg.
48
VISITORS STILL FIGHTING
Sharks have been threatening for the last several minutes, their longest period of possession since midway through the first half.
Several players hit hard lines and make ground but eventually a turnover is forced just inside the Tigers 22.
Leicester scrum and a chance to clear the lines.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
A fifth straight conversion for Handré, this the simplest of the lot.
TRY | JACK VAN POORTVLIET
Two early knock ons see possession switch hands as the two sides readjust to the frosty conditions.
Leicester get the second scrum and pounce. Crashing up in midfield, Tigers stomp over the gainline time and again before eventually scrum half JVP spots the space and darts through.
He has a little to do but steps on covering tackle and hands off another to dive over under the sticks.
SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
Lead out by Julián Montoya, Tigers are ready for the second period.
Pollard kicks us off with a high boot into a clipped kick off to the centre of the field.
HALF TIME
Tigers establish a comprehensive lead at the break, five converted tries and champagne rugby.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers 35 - 10 Hollywoodbets Sharks
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
The Springbok converts his own try and the teams head to the dressing room for half time.
TRY | Handré Pollard
Liquid rugby.
A deft offload from Cracknell puts Martin through a hole thirty metres out. The lock has limited space so pulls the ball back for van Poortvliet to run onto it, who then offloads back outside to a charging Pollard who runs it home.
37
CLASSY FROM BASSETT
Tigers are purring now and Josh Bassett earns a big roar from the crowd.
Collecting wide, he chips over the top and hurtles after it. Although he just loses the footrace, he slides covering defender Ethan Hooker into touch.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
A fourth straight conversion extends the Tigers lead to eighteen points.
TRY | SOLOMONE KATA
Unstoppable from that range.
Tigers have been whipping the ball wide for several minutes, stretching the Sharks defence.
This gets the side into the 22, where Kata finds himself with opposite number Francois Venter. Stepping inside then out, a big fend allows the Tongan to canter over for a try.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Pollard slots his third conversion of the game.
TRY | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS
A gift for the winger.
Not long after the restart, a penalty is won in midfield. Pollard steps up to hit to touch but it's kept in right on the line by Sharks wing Eduan Keyter.
However, as he attempts to offload out the back to keep the ball from spilling out, Hassell-Collins intercepts and dives over to huge cheers.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Another sumptuous kick from the Springbok and Leicester further their lead.
TRY | Julián Montoya
Indeed we are!
Picture perfect throw from the captain and that maul is firing on all cylinders, rumbling straight over.
Second score of the game for Montoya.
22
WHO ELSE?
Pollard puts ball to boot, with Kata challenging in the air.
Sharks claim it well but when the catcher hits the deck Tommy Reffell is straight over the ball, stealing it back and winning a turnover.
The kick to touch is inch perfect and we could be looking at a deja vu score.
CONVERSION | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Siya Masuku slots another excellent kick and extends the visitors lead.
TRY | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Sharks retake the lead.
From the line out, the play is kept tight in hand, one up runners making a couple of metres before the ball is recycled quickly.
Eventually, No. 8 Manu Tshituka drives over and touches down.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
Centre Joseph Woodward is on for Izaia Perese.
13
TRADING POSSESSION
Both sides trading possession frequently, Sharks favouring hands as they look to go wide and run the ball, while Leicester are keeping it tight and sending hard runners in.
Liebenberg has been typically industrious thus far, hitting rucks, carrying hard and he makes a superb, momentum-halting shot as the Sharks threaten out wide, almost picking up a breaking Shark and dragging him back five metres.
We're in the midst of a short stoppage as two time World Cup winner Trevor Nyakane battles through a discomfort. The prop seems to be ok and gets set for scrumtime in the middle of the field.
Tigers win a freekick and clear long, the battle beginning again.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
A beauty of a boot sails over from Pollard and extends the lead.
TRY | Julián Montoya
The captain capitalises!
No doubt this was going anywhere but over the line, the maul steaming forward and the Argentine hooker scoring at the tail on his return.
7
50.22 claxon!
A kick battle is ended relatively early as fullback Freddie Steward cannons a huge shot downfield, which bounces just inches from a 50.22.
Tigers win the ball regardless and the forwards carry hard, play alternating from the tempo of van Poortvliet and Pollard, Martin, Smith, Cracknell, Steward all carrying in.
Eventually Pollard spots space in behind, dips into the pocket and fires a beautifully weighted kick into the space, bouncing out and giving Leicester the perfect platform to attack.
PENALTY | HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
Sharks attack now and threaten wide before being bundled into touch by Josh Bassett.
The referee pulls play back for an infringement and Sharks fly half Siya Masuku slots an excellent penalty from close to the halfway line, on the angle.
The visitors take a three point lead.
3
TIGERS START BRIGHTLY
Sharks execute the lineout and carry well over the gainline before Tigers strip the ball.
The ball is hoisted to the sky and Hanro Liebenberg does well to bat it back to Reffell, who lifts it out to Pollard.
The Springbok flings the ball wide and successive tip ons create space for Hassell-Collins out wide who's brought down.
WE'RE UNDERWAY!
Hollywoodbets Sharks kick us off here and Tigers play a couple of tight phases before clearing long.
-1
TIGERS PAY THEIR RESPECTS
Five minutes prior to kick off, supporters were united in thanking Harry Simmons for his contributions to the club, the former wing announcing his retirement this week.
As the teams come out, a moment's silence is observed as the rugby world mourns the passing of former Bath and Gloucester wing Tom Voyce.
-5
All to play for in Investec Champions Cup action
Tigers are looking to bounce back from a bonus point opening bow at Bordeaux Bègles, while today's opponents defeated English opposition in round 1, down south at Exeter Chiefs.
-25
TIGERS TEAM NEWS
Captain Julián Montoya makes his return to Tigers action alongside fellow Internationals Handré Pollard, Nicky Smith, George Martin and Tommy Reffell.
Scottish international Cam Henderson makes his first appearance in a Leicester lineup since December 10 last year, after successfully recovering from a long-term injury.
There's also a late change amongst the replacements, with James Cronin, initially named on the bench, now replaced by James Whitcombe.
You can read the full team news HERE.
-30
THIRTY MINUTES TO GO!
There's just half an hour till Leicester Tigers face South Africa's Hollywoodbets Sharks for the first time ever.
The stands at Mattioli Woods Welford Road are filling up, so make your way down, tune into Premier Sports to watch live or stick with us here on Matchday Live for all the updates.
Investec Champions Cup rugby on the way very soon!