The Emirates Lions started the local United Rugby Championship weekend off with their 3rd win in a row against the European opposition with a 45-15 against the Ospreys.
The first 40 minutes was an arm wrestle with both sides not willing to give an inch resulting in a low scoring half. The Lions played the more "adventurous" rugby and maybe just deserved their lead at the break.
The Lions turned on the after burners in the second half in a brilliant display of running rugby.
10:51 Rabz Maxwane scored the Lions' first try after several Lions players handled the ball in a movement that started in their own half. (07-00)
20:00 The first 20 minutes of the game was an arm wrestle between two teams with completely different game plans. The Lions ran from anywhere on the field while the Ospreys were happy to defend and build phases.
30:22 Josh Thomas converted a penalty for the Ospreys to open their account. (07-03).
37:37 Morne van den Berg scored the Lions' second try with yet another long-distance try. (14-03)
40:00 The first 40 minutes was an arm wrestle with both sides not willing to give an inch resulting in a low scoring half. The Lions played the more "adventurous" rugby and maybe just deserved their lead at the break.
42:59 Francke Horn scored the Lions' 3rd try after the Lions threatened for a good five minutes on the scoreline of the visitors. (21-03)
50:14 Rhys Webb scored the Ospreys' second try after some woeful defence by the Lions on their own try-line. (21-10)
54:27 Morne vd Berg scored the Lions' bonus-point try after some silky handling by the Lions' backline. (28-10)
60:00 The Lions' speed of play is putting their visitors under pressure resulting in more and more errors being made by the Ospreys on defence.
63:37 Michael Collins intercepted and ran 30m for the Ospreys' 2nd try. (28-15)
67:16 Manuel Rass goes over for the Lions' 5th try after great work by Wandisile Simelane. (33-15)
70:07 Edwill van der Merwe continued the try-scoring by a now rampant Lions (40-15)
76:37 Ande Warner scored the Lions' 7th try. (45-15)
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Tries: Rabz Maxwane, Morne vd Berg (2), Francke Horn, Manuel Rass, Edwill van der Merwe, Andre Warner. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (5).
Ospreys: Tries: Rhys Webb, Michael Collins. Conversion: Josh Thomas. Penalty: Josh Thomas
Teams:
Emirates ions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (captain), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Francke Horn, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sithembiso Sithole. Replacements: 16. Pieter Botha, 17. Jean-Pierre Smith, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Ruan Venter, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Andre Warner, 22. Manuel Rass, 23. Tiaan Swanepoel/EW Viljoen.
Ospreys: 15. Dan Evans, 14. Keelan Giles, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Keiran Williams, 11. Luke Morgan, 10. Josh Thomas, 9. Rhys Webb (c), 8. Ethan Roots, 7. Morgan Morris, 6. Dan Lydiate, 5. Bradley Davies, 4. Rhys Davies, 3. Tom Botha, 2. Sam Parry, 1. Nicky Smith. Replacements: 16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Rhys Henry, 19. Will Griffiths, 20. Harri Deaves, 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22. Tiaan Thomas Wheeler, 23. Cai Evans.