Lions ease past Cheetahs to go top
CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Golden Lions climbed to the top of the Currie Cup standings after a 47-14 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Ivan van Rooyen’s team scored seven tries on their way to victory and they had a 33-0 lead at half-time after a dominant first-half display.
The Lions opened the scoring when fullback Sylvian Mahuza ran in for a try, which Shaun Reynolds converted.
The home side doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Reynolds scored and converted his own try after some swift attacking play in the Cheetahs’ half.
The visitors struggled to cope with the Lions out wide and Mahuza was again the beneficiary of some slack defending when he ran in for his second try of the game in the 19th minute.
The bonus point was secured in the 28th minute when Lions captain Marvin Orie eased over from close range.
A few minutes later Reynolds was in for his second try after some poor tackling from the men from Bloemfontein.
After a dreadful first half the Cheetahs came out firing in the second half and they were rewarded when flyhalf Louis Fouche went over for a try in the 50th minute after a lengthy attack.
Ten minutes later the Cheetahs were in again when Paige found himself in acres of space after some great interplay with wing Ali Mgijima.
After dominating the first half the Lions’ first points of the second half only came in the 75th minute when centre Howard Mnisi found his way to the tryline.
Lions’ No.8 Hacjivah Dayimani scored the game’s final try of the game.
Man of the match: Hacjivah Dayimani had another strong performance in the No.8 jersey, while Wandisile Simelane made a big impact off the bench. Sylvian Mahuza had a good outing in the No.15 jersey and he scored two tries as well. However, the award goes to Lions flyhalf Shaun Reynolds, who was outstanding on attack.
The scorers:
For Golden Lions:
Tries: Mahuza 2, Reynolds 2, Orie, Mnisi, Dayimani
Cons: Reynolds 6
For Free State Cheetahs:
Tries: Fouche, Paige
Cons: Fouche 2
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Teams:
Golden Lions: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Stephen Bhasera, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Bradley Thain, 22 Wandisile Simelane.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Ali Mgijima, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Lloyd Greeff, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Rudy Paige (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stephan Malan, 6 Abongile Nonkontwane, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Louis Conradie, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Kevin Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Luigy van Jaarsveld, 19 Nardus Erasmus, 20 Dian Badenhorst, 21 Vuyani Maqina, 22 Reinhart Erwee.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Eduan Nel
TMO: Lesego Legoete
