Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies returned as captain lead an experienced Lions team against the Cell C Sharks in Johannesburg today. A draw with 40-40 would have been a fair result, however, the Lions rewarded with a penalty after dominating play in the last 5 minutes of the game. The Lions the winner with 43-40 and remaining unbeaten after the first three games of the Preparation Series.
3:52 The Lions made their intentions clear from the start. Rather than attempt to convert a penalty Jantjies kicked the ball out 10m form the Sharks tryline. Ngia Selengbe forced his way over the tryline after the forward drive collapsed centimetres from the tryline of the Sharks. (05-00)
08:15 Aphelel Fassi was the immediate reply of Sharks after they launched an attack from within their own 25m. The speed of the Sharks outside backs combined with some sublime handle too much for the Lions. (05-07)
13:20 The Lions hit back almost immediately with a try by Tiaan Swanepoel. A Sharks handling error 5m from the Lions tryline allowed the Lions to attack. Tiaan Swanepoel ran a good 50m to score his try which he also converted. (12-07)
19:56 Vincent Tshituka scored the Lions third try after a lazy mistake by the Sharks flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain. Chamberlain with a soccer-style kick gave the Lions the ball to work their magic. The Lions again secured a try with great handling between the backs and forwards. (19-07)
20:00 The first 20 minutes of this match was a fast-paced affair. Three long-distance tries were a testament to the attitude from both sides. Both sides were looking for any opportunity to run with the ball. The scrums still even with the Lions starting to take limited control. A very even game between two teams who are willing to play rugby.
23:15 A brilliant cross-kick by Chamberlain 5m from the Lions try-line, and some amateurish defence by Tiaan Swanepoel allowed Werner Kok to dot down for the Sharks' second try. (19-14)
36:25 The Lions scored their fourth try of the first half. Their pack of forwards patiently sucked the Sharks' defenders in for a few minutes before Jantjies sent an unguarded Courtnall Skosan over to score with a long skip-pass. (26-14)
40:00 The Lions scored four tries to two to go into halftime with a 12 point lead. The game at half time showed no sign to slow down. Both sides in a great position to win this exciting game.
46:45 Dylan Richardson scored a forwards try for the Sharks. The Sharks set up camp for a period and eventually after several line-outs and penalties were able to force their way over. (26-21)
50:20 An overthrow in a line-out by Dylan Richarson 5m from his own tryline resulted in Jan-Henning Campher forcing his way over the tryline from the back of the lineout. (33-21)
54:10 Dylan Richardson scored his second try of the match for the Sharks. A grubber by MJ Pelser resulted in a 5m lineout to the Sharks after it hit one of his own players and shot backwards. (33-28)
60:00 With 20 minutes left on the clock the point difference was only 5 points. The Sharks tried the speed up the game while the Lions looked more structured. Over-eagerness by the Sharks on several occasions cost them.
65:37 Curwin Bosch attempted a stupid cross-kick on his goal-line which landed in the hands of Wandisile Simelane who strolled over the score the Lions sixth try. (40-28)
69:00 A mistake by the Lions who could not control the ball from the kick-off allowed the Sharks to attack. Reserve loose-head, Ntuthuko Mchunu of the Sharks ended off the great play by the Sharks. (40-33)
71:00 Ntuthuko Mchunu scored his second try in two minutes after the Lions defence is showing a lack of commitment and allowed the bulky prop to outrun the Lions back three in a 30m plus sprint. (40-40)
80:00 A penalty by Tiaan Swanepoel with the time already up on the clock gave the Lions a great 43-40 win.
An entertaining match which ended with the Lions the deserved players, even though it is just because they were at home.
Scorers:
Lions: Tries: Ngia Selengbe, Tiaan Swanepoel, Vincent Tshituka, Courtnall Skosan, Jan-Henning Campher, Wandisile Simelane. Conversions: Tiaan Swanepoel (2), Elton Jantjies (3) Penalty: Tiaan Swanepoel.
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Dylan Richardson (2), Ntuthuko Mchunu (2). Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (3), Curwin Bosch (2)
Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Ngia Selengbe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Dan Kriel.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Rynhard Jonker, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Mzamo Majola. Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Marius Louw.