Postpublished at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2024
18:18 GMT 14 December 2024
Leicester 28-10 Sharks
Tom Varndell Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
That was the slickest strike move Leicester have done all season, every pass was absolute perfection.
They went from the scrum out to the width but it was the accuracy of the passing, Sharks didn't have a chance. And then the hand-off from Kata, he flicked him off like a child!
Leicester's Josh Bassett, who hasn't had too much of the ball down his flank in the first half, takes Solomone Kata's pass and goes off chasing his own kick. Ethan Hooker gets across to close him out and find touch, but Sharks crumbling here.
Converted try: Leicester 28-10 Sharkspublished at 34 mins
34 mins
Solomone Kata (con Handre Pollard)
Leicester dominating the breakdown, one try away from the bonus point, looking good here. They come out of a collapsed scrum with a penalty advantage, but Ollie Hassell-Collins looks in the mood to score without it. He's held out, Leicester work it right, and find Solomone Kata - who hands off allcomers and dots down. Bonus point in the bag. Handre Pollard makes it four from four with the boot.
Converted try: Leicester 21-10 Sharkspublished at 25 mins
25 mins
Ollie Hassell-Collins (con Handre Pollard)
Oh, my goodness. What happened there? Tommy Reffell excellent at the breakdown again, wins a penalty. Handre Pollard kicks for touch, again. Eduan Keyter catches by the touchline and tries to feed a pass blind behind him - not realising Ollie Hassell-Collins is lurking. Christmas come early, and all that. Hassell-Collins runs in to claim reward for chasing a lost cause. Pollard adds the extras. Keyter makes a mental note to delete the recording of the match when he gets home.
Converted try: Leicester 14-10 Sharkspublished at 23 mins
23 mins
Julian Montoya (con Handre Pollard)
And that, my friends, is how to respond. Tommy Reffell's pressure wins a penalty. Handre Pollard kicks for the corner, and it's another push for the line. It's almost a carbon copy of their first try: Sharks are overwhelmed, Julian Montoya gets the score, and Pollard kicks the conversion from out on the left touchline. Really good game, this.
Converted try: Leicester 7-10 Sharkspublished at 20 mins
20 mins
Manu Tshituka (con Siya Masuku)
Excellent Sharks response. Leicester give away a penalty for not coming away quickly enough at the breakdown. Shiya Masuku kicks for the corner, and it's all pressure from there. Eduan Kayter and Lappies Labuschagne push for the corner - eventually it's Manu Tshituka who gets over. There's a question as to whether he actually gets the ball down, but the referee's happy. Extras added by Masuku.
Ethan Hooker suddenly bursts forward, making a good 30 metres before he's tackled. Leicester win it back, and there are a couple of exchanges of kicks, before Ollie Hassell-Collins gets the fans going with a break of his own.
First change for Leicester as Izaia Perese comes off, holding the shoulder he injured right at the start of the game. Joseph Woodward on in his place.
Now Sharks press. They work it from left to right, but Eduan Kayter overthrows the final pass right to Yaw Penxe, and finds touch. A grimace from John Plumtree on the Sharks bench.
Postpublished at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2024
17:49 GMT 14 December 2024
Leicester 7-3 Sharks
Tom Varndell Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Radio Leicester
That was really well executed by the Leicester forwards. They got set nice and early, no messing about, clean line-out, and the power that came through there was brilliant.
Sharks didn't have a hope of stopping them going over.
Converted try: Leicester 7-3 Sharkspublished at 10 mins
10 mins
Julian Montoya (con Handre Pollard)
Had to come. Leicester drive for the line, Joe Heyes and Tommy Reffell pile on the pressure, and Julian Montoya gets the reward. Handre Pollard has to convert from right out on the left touchline. But he's Handre Pollard, so what's the worry?
Sharks line-out sails over everyone - Leicester scoop the loose ball and sense an opportunity. The home support get into voice. Sharks hold firm; the ball goes left, it goes right, and eventually Handre Pollard aims a perfect kick towards the corner to put some proper pressure on.
Amid all of that, Sharks have got a penalty around 40 metres out. Siya Masuku puts it down and strikes it beautifully, right between the posts. Sharks may not have their strongest team out, but they lead early.
Another stoppage - now it's Sharks prop Ntuthuko Mchunu who needs a check from the physio. I think the physios have done as much running as the players so far. Mchunu's OK.
Leicester under pressure early, looking for a way out. Perese looks to be fine, swinging out a pass for Ollie Hassell-Collins to get the crowd going, but there's a knock on and Sharks have it back.
Now Leicester flanker Hanro Leibenberg is down after an awkward fall trying to collect a box kick. Again, back on his feet after some attention.