Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The Emirates Lions hosted Gauteng neighbours the Vodacom Bulls. Everybody expected an easy win for the Bulls, however, the Lions known for their last 10 min effort, managed to score a late try and seal the game with one point (34-33).
05:00 The Lions opt for a maul and overpower the Bulls before breaking away. They manage to power through with Schoeman to score the first try, (07-00).
14:18 The Bulls win a penalty and go for a tap and go. Elrich Louw is the man who gets it over the line with his team pushing him forward, (07-07)
20:00 The two teams are surprisingly close after 20 minutes with the Bulls allowing the Lions to run at them.
20:41 Jordan Hendrikse slots his first penalty to return the lead to the Lions, (10-07).
27:00 David Kriel scored the Bulls second try after the Bulls set up camp in the Lions red zone for a few minutes. The Bulls have scored their second try from their second visit to the Lions 22m. (10-14)
31:53 Rabz Maxwane scored the Lions 3rd try after a brilliant individual effort of 40m plus down the side-line. (17-12)
34:50 Madosh Tambwe is the Bulls immediate answer. Some horrible defence by the Lions made it easy for Tambwe, (17-19).
40:00 Jordan Hendrikse convert his second try, (20-19)
With 40 minutes to go the match is evenly balanced with the Lions enjoying the freedom, the Bulls "defence" is allowing them on the field.
47:32 Chris Smith stroll over for the Bulls 4th try after the Lions' defence is caught fast asleep, (20-26).
51:47 David Kriel score his second try of the match as the Lions defence is falling apart. The momentum clearly with a Bulls team that scores every time they enter the Lions 22m, (20-33).
58:44 MJ Pelser goes over for the Lions 4th try from the back of a 5m line-out. The Lions refused several opportunities to go for the poles before scoring this much-needed try which kept them in the hunt, (27-33).
73:33 Fred Zeilange scored the Lions 4th try after the Bulls defence was caught napping from a scrum. The momentum with the Lions this late in the game, (34-33).
80:00 The Lions brilliant effort in the last 10 minutes of the game gave them a well-deserved victory, (34-33).
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Try: Ruben Schoeman, Rabz Maxwane, MJ Pelser, Fred Zeilinga. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3), Fred Zeilinga Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Elrigh Louw, David Kriel (2), Madosh Tambwe, Chris Smith. Conversions: Chris Smith (4).
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. André Warner, 8. Len Massyn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. MJ Pelser, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Ruan Dreyer, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Manuel Rass
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. James Verity-Amm, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Clinton Swart, 23. Stravino Jacobs, 24. Jacques van Rooyen, 25. Jan Uys, 26. Muller Uys, 27. Morne Steyn, 28. Keagan Johannes.