Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The Xerox Lions hosted the Cell C Sharks tonight in a battle for the second spot of the Carling Currie Cup log. The Xerox Lions were in control since the first whistle and deservedly walk off the pitch as winners with
The result was never in doubt as the Sharks refused to play rugby but rather preferred to kick and pray. A boring game closed out by a great effort by the Lions.
02:32 The Lions did not waste any time. Elton Jaantjies convert an easy penalty (03-00)
The first ten minutes of the game was a kicking contest, however, the Lions the stronger in the scrums and the tight phases.
13:15 Courtnall Skosan scored the Lions first try. The Lions attacked from a 5-metre line-out after the Lions forced another penalty from a dominant scrum. The Lions scored in the opposide's corner after the Sharks defence held up until they run out of defenders. (8-0)
19:34 Curwin Bosch Slots a 60-meter penalty. (8-3)
22:27 Curwin Bosch converted his second penalty from 50m out (8-6)
27:35 Tian Swanepoel convert a penalty. (11-6)
35:20 Elton Janjies converted his second penalty. (14-6)
The first half produced a total of 17 penalties, which explain the stop-start nature of the game. The first halve not a spectacle with the Lions deservedly in the lead. The Lions' dominance on the ground and come scrum-time the reason for their "dominance" at half time.
44:17 Curwin Bosch add his third penalty after some stupidy of the Lions in their own 22. (14-9)
57:43 Tian Swanepoel add the three points. (17-9)
62:23 Elton Jantjies add his third penalty. (20-9)
68:48 Curwin Bosch convert a penalty. (20-12)
72:00 Wandisile Simelane's magic created space for Tian Swanepoel to walk over the Sharks try line. (27-12)
The Xerox Lions deservedly move up to the second position on the Carling Currie Cup log after a confident showing against the Sharks.
Scorers:
Xerox Lions: Tries: Courtnall Skosan, Tian Swanepoel. Conversion: Tian Swanepoel. Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3), Tian Swanepoel (2).
Cell C Sharks: Penalties: Curwin Bosch (4)
Teams:
Xerox Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Jamba Ulengo.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 James Venter, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Jeremy Ward.