Lions get their revenge with seven-try rout
MATCH REPORT: The Lions put the record straight with an emphatic 46-5 win over the defending champions Sharks in the shortened, single-round version of the Currie Cup.
This was their first encounter in South Africa’s premier domestic competition since the Sharks’ dramatic win in the Final last year, with the early-season jitters showing in both teams’ games.
They regularly coughed up possession in promising positions.
The Lions eventually found some set-piece dominance in the second half, leaving the Sharks searching for scraps and rare opportunities.
The seven-one try rout sent a message to the other teams in the tournament.
The biggest concern for the Lions will be the leg injury that saw flank Izan Esterhuizen leave the field on a medical card just before the half-time break.
* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!
* The article continues below …
The Sharks had the better of the early exchanges, with scrumhalf Bradley Davids keeping the visitors in the Lions’ half with some clinical tactical kicking.
It was an error by fullback Hakeem Kunene that eventually gave the Lions a scrum in the visitors’ half – their first bit of territorial advantage.
Several phases later, and some great interplay between forwards and backs saw flank Jarod Cairns stroll over for the first try. Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela was wide of the mark with the conversion attempt – 5-0 after 10 minutes.
The scrappy nature of the game meant no further progress on the scoreboard until wing Rabs Maxwane collected a crossfield kick in the 22nd minute and strolled over for the second try. It was set up by a line-break from BlitzBok Angelo Davids, with scrumhalf Nico Steyn delivering the pin-point kick. Dobela was again wide of the mark with the conversion – 10-0.
In the 34th minute, Khuthi Rasivaga was yellow-carded for a cynical foul, slapping the ball away to prevent a try from being scored. They were also awarded a penalty try – 17-0.
The bonus-point try came up on the stroke of half-time, with Maxwane finishing off a team try that started with a counter deep inside the home team’s half. Dobela finally landed a conversion, making it 24-0 at the break.
It was a Lubabalo Dobela penalty that got the second-half scoring underway.
That was followed by Sharks flyhalf Jean Smith being yellow-carded for a cynical foul, also slapping the ball down to prevent a Lions line-break.
Angelo Davids started and finished the next counter, in which centre Rynhardt Jonker played a key role. Dobela made it 34-0 with the conversion.
A communications error between Lions backs gifted Phiko Sobahle a freebie try in the 69th minute.
However, from the restart, the Lions replied with a team try, finished by centre Rynhardt Jonker.
There was enoufgh time for Layton Horn to put the seal on a great win with a seventh try.
Man of the match: The duo of Angelo Davids and Rabs Maxwane caused chaos on attack, with forwards like Darrien Landsberg, Raynard Roets, Jaco Visagie, WJ Steenkamp and first-half replacement Renzo du Plessis. My award goes to Lions flank Jarod Cairns, some with strong carries, including a sublime linebreak, his tackle count well into double digits and some handy turnovers.
The scorers
For the Lions
Tries: Cairns, Maxwane 2, Penalty try, Davids, Jonker, Horn
Cons: A penalty try does not require a conversion, Dobela 2, Wolhuter
Pen: Dobela
For the Sharks
Try: Sobahle
Yellow cards: Khuthi Rasivaga (Sharks, 34 – cynical foul, slapping the ball away), Jean Smith (Sharks, 45 – cynical foul, slapping the ball down)
Teams:
Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabs Maxwane, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Izan Esterhuizen, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivaga, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Willem van Wyk, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Kuhle Mthimkhulu, 20 Tomas Dyer, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Drico Marx, 23 Chijindu Okonta
Referee: Dylen November (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hernus Coetzee (South Africa), Phumzile Mbewu (South Africa)
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
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