The Fidelity Securedrive Lions absorbed a lot of pressure from the Dragons TRFC but secured a brilliant 42-26 bonus-point win in their hunt for a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship. The win will see the Lions ending this weekend in fourth or fifth place on the URC log.
A brilliant attack from the Lions led to Siba Mahashe ru0nning past and over several defenders of the Dragons to score a brilliant try for the Lions to lead 07-00 after just five minutes of play in the first half.
Following a patient build-up into the Lions' red zone, great handling and interplay led to Aneurin Owen crashing over. Angus O'Brien converted the try, edging the Dragons 07-05 into the lead, after fifteen minutes of play.
Chris Smith converted a penalty to regain an 08-07 lead for the Lions, whereafter, they started to get their hands on quality attacking ball. Richard Kriel scored the Lions' second try following several players handling the ball. Chris Smith converted to extend the Lions' lead to 15-07 with thirteen minutes still to play.
Aneurin Owen scored his second try following an attack that started in the Dragons' half, and following great handling, Owen scored under the posts. Angus O'Brien converted to cut the Lions' lead to 15-14, and there were still seven minutes to play in the first half.
Chris Smith converted a late penalty to edge the Lions 18-14 into the lead at the halftime break.
The Dragons attacked, and a brilliant kick pass was controlled by Rio Dyer to crash over in the corner. Angus O'Brien converted to lead 21-18.
The Lions attacked from the kickoff, and Chris Smith took a pass brilliantly on his toes to retake the lead 25-21, which he also converted.
The Lions continued their onslaught, and Nico Steyn scored two tries in quick succession to extend the Lions' lead to 37-21. Erich Cronje added his name to the score sheet as the Lions are running the visibly tiring Dragons to pieces. The Lions led 42-21 with twelve minutes still to play in the first half.
Not to be outdone, Rio Dyer scored in the corner for the Dragons' bonus point, cutting the Lions’ lead to 42-26 with nine minutes still to play.
Scorers:
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: Tries: Sibabalwe Mahashe, Richard Kriel, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn (2), Erich Cronje. Conversion: Chris Smith (2). Penalty: Chris Smith.
Dragons RFC: Try: Aneurin Owen (2), Rio Dyer. Conversion: Angus O'Brien (2).
Teams:
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddi Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.
Dragons RFC: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Jared Rosser, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Angus O’Brien (co-captain), 9 Niall Armstrong, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Seb Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 1 Rodrigo Martinez. Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Jordan Morris, 18 Owain James, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Harrison Keddie, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jac Lloyd, 23 Fetuli Paea.