The weekend’s exciting Vodacom United Rugby Championship ninth-round action was completed with a brilliant display of running rugby by the Emirates Lions. The Emirates Lions beat the Scarlets 32-15, earning a full bag of five points for their efforts.
The Emirates Lions started the match like a house on fire and a converted penalty and two tries had the leading 15-00 with twenty minutes to go in the second half. The Emirates Lions' dominant scrum at this provided them with the foundation on which they built some brilliant attacks on their opponents' tryline.
The Scarlets showed during the second quarter that they can be as dangerous as their hosts when they get quality attacking ball on the front foot. Both teams had their moments of brilliance with both teams scoring a try each. The Emirates Lions lead 18-05 going into the second half.
The match started to lose a bit of its structure during the third quarter, resulting in primary school moves creating easy tries. The Emirates Lions were leading 25-10 with the Scarlets threatening on several occasions, however, the home team should, if they do not, because of.
The fourth quarter was all action with a further two tries being scored. The Emirates Lions deserved bonus-point winners against a Scarlets team that never gave up but was outclassed with the ball in hand.
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Tries: Rabz Maxwane, Emmanuel Tshituka (2), Jaco Kriel. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3). Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Scarlets: Tries: Dan Davis, Tom Rogers, Vaea Fifita.
As it happened:
05:31 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty for the Emirates Lions to take an early lead. (03-00)
10:17 Rabz Maxwane dances his way to a brilliant individual try beating several Scarlets' defenders (08-00)
20:42 Emmanuel Tshituka scored the Emirates Lions' second try breaking away from the back of a powerful Emirates Lions' scrum to bulldoze his way over the tryline. (15-00)
32:13 Dan Davis scored the Scarlets' first try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (15-05)
34:27 Sango Xamlashe (Emirates Lions) was sent off with a yellow card.
40:00 Sam Costelow (Scarlets) was sent off with a yellow card.
41:35 Jordan Hendrikse converted a second penalty for the Emirates Lions. (18-05)
55:35 Jaco Kriel Scored the Emirates Lions' third try. A primary school move gave Kriel the space to stroll over for his first try of the match. (25-05)
58:15 A Tom Rogers try was the almost immediate reply by the Scarlets. Quick hands from the Scarlets' backline created space for Rogers to walk over the tryline for his try. (25-10)
70:07 Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions) was sent off with a yellow card.
75:43 Emmanuel Tshituka scored the Emirates Lions' fourth and bonus-point try after beating several defenders of the Ospreys with his speed and aggressive running. (32-10)
82:18 Vaea Fifita forces his way over the tryline to score the Scarlets' third try. (32-15)
Team:
Emirates Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Pieter Botha, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. JP Smith, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Ruan Venter, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Andre Warner, 22. Gianni Lombard, 23. Zander du Plessis.
Scarlets: 15. Johnny McNicholl, 14. Tom Rogers, 13. Jonathan Davies (c), 12. Scott Williams, 11. Ryan Conbeer; 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Gareth Davies, 8. Blade Thomson, 7. Dan Davis, 6. Aaron Shingler, 5. Vaea Fifita, 4. Sam Lousi, 3. WillGriff John, 2. Taylor Davies, 1. Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16. Shaun Evans, 17. Phil Price, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Sione Kalamafoni, 20. Tomás Lezana, 21. Dane Blacker, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Steff Evans.
Recent Posts
- Frans Malherbe Is One Of A Dying Breed If Not The Last One
- Toyota Cheetahs Name Coaching Staff For SA Cup
- Emirates Lions Players Share A Dream Of Building Something Special In Johannesburg
- Daniel Kasende Is A Man Who Has A Back Story With A Difference
- Jeppe Accepting Big “Afrikaans” Challenges To Become One Of The Best
- Chamberlain Insists He Have What It Takes
- DHL Stormers Looking Forward To A Nice Challenge In Johannesburg
- André-Hugo Venter – Giving Back More Than You Took
- Springboks To Face Pumas In Rugby Championship In London
- “Salads Don’t Win Scrums” The Proven Recipe To Become No 1 In Vodacom URC Top 100
- Henco van Wyk Extended Contract At Emirates Lions
- Junior Springbok Squad Named For Short Georgian Tour
- Welsh Players, Staff And Coaches Are All Frustrated Following Loss To Italy
- Forwards Delivered A Great Platform For Ireland
- Test Match Derby Draws Second Biggest Crowd Of URC Season