Heineken Champions Cup: Sharks beat Harlequins to record first win in South Africa as Leinster and Gloucester start with wins | Rugby League News

The Sharks beat the Harlequins 39-31 to score South Africa’s first success in the Heineken Champions Cup; Leinster started with an impressive 42-10 victory over Racing 92; Gloucester made a late comeback to beat Bordeaux Begles

Ox Nche’s dismissal didn’t stop the Sharks from becoming the first South African team to win a match at the Heineken Champions Cup.

The Harlequins opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a setback as the Sharks became the first South African team to win the competition.

Quins were beaten 39-31 at Durban in their first game to join one of three South African teams to qualify for the tournament this season.

The home side won despite a red card in the 60th minute for pillar Ox Nche, disqualified after a head-on collision, and with an extra man, Quins closed with a 32-31 score as Josh Bassett gets ahead on the second try.

Breathing space was restored thanks to a score by winger Boeta Chamberlain, and the Sharks saw the Pool game end to win with bonus points; The Quins’ five tries – including another double, for Andre Esterhuizen – meant they headed back north with a bonus point of their own.

Quins head coach Tabai Matson said: “We gave them too many penalties and gave them too many chances, and good teams took advantage of them. We missed our own chances. in the game to play our way, so it would be annoying for us to comment on the game.”

There’s much to celebrate at Pool A cho Leinsterwho scored with an impressive 42-10 victory at Racing 92.

A concert scheduled at the French team’s Paris stadium means the match is played at Le Havre and without a real home advantage, Racing is no match for the Irish guests.

Josh van der Flier has scored twice in Leinster’s six attempts against Racing 92

Last season’s runner-up, Leinster announced their intention as they ran six times to earn bonus points, the first overtaking Andrew Porter in seven minutes and two more before the break by world’s best tennis player Josh van der Flier .

Racing’s only attempt was scored late by former England winger Christian Wade, returning to rugby after three years in the NFL.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “The players started with high aim and it was important to score early. I have watched Racing in their recent games and they have scored. a lot of points early. They beat Clermont and it’s important to win.” away from them.”

Elsewhere in Pool A, Gloucester recovered from a 12 point deficit in the first half to start with a 22-17 win first Bordeaux Bordeaux.

Charlie Chapman is hugged by Jack Clement after scoring the winning goal for Gloucester against Bordeaux Begles

Taking a 17-5 lead at halftime after a flawed first-half performance, the Premiership side were still trailing by that score with just 16 minutes to play.

But the late efforts of Albert Tuisue, Santiago Socino and Charlie Chapman – turning the shots into a smart move – turned the game in favor of the home team.