The Emirates Lions faced arguably their toughest test thus far in the Vodacom URC and managed to walk off the pitch with their heads held high. A spirited effort by the Lions saw them losing with 13-21 against a highly rated and log leading Leinster.
The Emirates Lions surprised all with their level of play in the first forty minutes of the match, they kept the attack from the host in check with some great defence. Leinster is maybe lucky to lead with the one point.
Apart from the first ten minutes of the second half, the Lions once again surprised many as they continued their fine form against Leinster, ending the match as the "better" side on the pitch.
06:52 Dave Kearney scored Leinster's first try after some brilliant handling by the hosts' backline. (07-00)
12:50 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty to open the Lions' account. (07-03)
20:00 An even match after the first quarter with the Lions' high intensity on defence keeping the hosts' backline in check. The powerful scrum of the Lions could prove to be vital during the last minutes of the match.
36:51 Jordan Hendrikse reduce Leinster's lead to just one point with another converted penalty. (07-06)
40:00 The Emirates Lions surprised all with their level of play in the first forty minutes of the match, they kept the attack from the host in check with some great defence. Leinster is maybe lucky to lead with the one point.
47:30 Michael Ala’alatoa scored the hosts' second try after several missed attempts to force their way over the try-line of the Lions. (14-06)
50:47 Scott Penny scored the hosts' third try, their second in three minutes as they increased the pace at what they played with considerably since the start of the second half. (21-06)
60:00 Leinster came out in the second half and scored two great tries within three minutes of the other. However, thereafter the Lions came back into the game and managed to keep the hosts from scoring with guts and passion.
78:22 Jaco Kriel scored the Lions' first try after Morne vd Berg snatched the ball from a struggling Leinster scrum to send his captain over. (21-13)
Scorers:
Leinster: Tries: Dave Kearney, Michael Ala’alatoa, Scott Penny. Conversions: Ross Byrne (3).
Emirates Lions: Try: Jao Kriel. Conversion: Tiaan Swanepoel. Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Leinster: 15. Max O’Reilly, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Harry Byrne, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Nick McCarthy, 8. Rhys Ruddock (c), 7. Dan Leavy, 6. Josh Murphy, 5. Joe McCarthy, 4. Devin Toner, 3. Michael Ala’alatoa, 2. James Tracy, 1. Ed Byrne. Replacements: 16. Seán Cronin, 17. Peter Dooley, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Jack Dunne, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Adam Byrne, 23. Scott Penny.
Emirates Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Francke Horn, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Jaco Kriel (c), 5. Ruben Schoeman, 4. Peter-John Steenkamp, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sithembiso Sithole. Replacements: 16. Pieter Botha, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Lunga Ncube, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Nico Steyn, 22. Manuel Rass, 23. Tiaan Swanepoel.