The Emirates Lions hosted the Newcastle Falcons in Johannesburg on Saturday in the EPCR Challenge Cup in search of their fourth victory in a row. Despite playing "ugly" rugby the Emirates Lions scored five tries to secure a 35-13 bonus-point win.
It was a scrappy and wet start for both teams, however, Brett Connon opened the account for Newcastle Falcons after 8 minutes of play with a converted penalty.
Despite "dominating" the early exchanges the Newcastle Falcons could not add to their score, however, the Emirates Lions clawed their way back into the game. The Lions launched wave after wave of attacks as they set up camp in Newcastle Falcons' red zone. After 18 minutes of play, PJ Botha bulldozed his way over to score the Lions first try to lead 07-03.
Despite the spirited defence of Newcastle Falcons the Emirates Lions' pack of forwards continued their dominance. Prop JP Smith scored the Emirates Lions' second try from a 5m lineout-maul to extend the Emirates Lions' lead to 14-03 after 30 minutes of play in the first half. This was also the halftime score.
The Emirates Lions took 10 minutes to score their 3rd try when Emmanuel Tshituka bulldozed his way over Newcastle's tryline from the back of a 5m lineout to extend the Emirates Lions lead to 21-06.
Despite being dominated during the first 10 minutes of the second half, Newcastle Falcon got their hand on quality ball which they used their big forwards to attack with. Freddy Lockwood eventually crashed over for Newcastle Falcons' first try to reduce the Emirates Lions' lead to 21-13.
Captain Marius Louw scored the Emirates Lions' bonus point after great handling by the backline of the hosts. The Emirates Lions lead 28-13 with 10 minutes still to play.
With three minutes to go, Emmanuel Tshituka scored his second try of the match to secure a good 35-13 win for the Emirates Lions who are still unbeaten in the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Tries: PJ Botha, JP Smith, Emmanuel Tshituka (2), Marius Louw. Conversions: Sanele Nohamba (5).
Newcastle Falcons: Try: Freddy Lockwood. Conversion: Brett Connon. Penalties: Brett Connon (2).
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne Van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Williem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith. Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 Hanry Sirgel, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Gianni Lombard.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Nathan Greenwood, 13 Ben Stevenson, 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Louis Brown, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Josh Barton, 8 John Kelly, 7 Josh Bainbridge, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Kiran McDonald, 4 Tim Cardall, 3 Mark Tampin, 2 Charlie Maddison, 1 Adam Brocklebank. Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Mark Dormer, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Adam Scott, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 Ben Douglas, 22 Josh Thomas, 23 George Wacokecoke.