Late Dobela score gives departing Lions a winning send-off
MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela scored well into additional time to ensure the Lions end a disappointing season on a winning note.
Outscoring Ospreys by five tries to four, the Lions won 29-28, courtesy of Dobela’s 83rd-minute score.
Both teams finished the season outside the top 10 and left another year of competing in Europe’s second-tier Challenge Cup competition.
It was the last game for Edwill van der Merwe and Marius Louw, who will depart Ellis Park with a win to their names.
There was, as at all the games in South Africa over the weekend, a moment’s silence for the late Springbok Cornal Hendricks, who tragically passed away this week.
With nothing at stake, other than honour, the Lions returned to their all-action, expansive game.
However, despite almost 70 percent possession and territory, the home team was still trailing (5-7) on the half-hour mark, mainly the result of sloppy handling and poor option-taking.
They did have their moments and scored five entertaining tries, but for the most part it was clear why they are not in the play-offs.
* To recap the drama, CLICK HERE!
* Article continues below ...
It was a sloppy start by the home team, with a sloppy penalty and an equally filthy handling errors gifting possession to the Ospreys in those opening exchanges.
In the opening 10 minutes, Lubabalo Dobela also had a try chalked off for a knock-on, and the Lions’ scrum was free-kicked.
However, in the 10th minute, departing wing Edwill van der Merwe found enough space on the left wing to score in his last game for the Lions, a try set up by fullback Quan Horn. Lubabalo Dobela’s conversion attempt was wide – 5-0.
From the restart, Ospreys flank Will Griffiths charged down an attempted clearance and followed up to score. Flyhalf Dan Edwards added the conversion – 7-5 for the visitors.
The Lions attempted to pick up the pace, but their execution still let them down, and they continued to gift the Ospreys easy exits and possession.
In the 31st minute, the Lions eventually reclaimed the lead – captain Jaco Visagie scoring their second try, a team effort, with forwards and backs combining in a sweeping move. Dobela’s conversion attempt was on target – 12-7, also the half-time score.
The second half started much like the first, with sloppy play from the Lions, handing Ospreys possession and territory.
And the visitors made their hosts pay dearly, as lock James Ratti finished off a series of forward rushes that eventually found a gap in the resolute Lions’ defence. The TMO intervened, but the referee overruled him and the try stood. Edwards added the conversion, as Ospreys reclaimed the lead, 14-12.
There was an immediate response from the Lions, with Visagie getting his second try off the back of a powerful maul. Dobela pushed the conversion attempt wide, but the Lions were back in the lead, 17-14.
Ospreys were next to score – fullback Jack Walsh getting a ‘flat’ pass from centre Keiran Williams to sprint over the visitors’ third try. Edwards’ conversion made it 21-17 for the visitors.
Henco van Wyk then put the Lions back in the lead, coming on a strong angle and getting the offload from Dobela, who added the conversion – 24-2 in favour of the home team.
The ding-dong battle continued, as replacement hooker Sam Parry barged over after a sweeping move. Edwards slotted the conversion – 28-24 in favour of the visitors, with two minutes left on the clock.
With the full-time hooter having sounded, the Lions were awarded a penalty near the visitors’ line.
From a line-out five metres out, the Lions took it through a couple of phases, before flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela went over in the right corner for a late winner.
The conversion was again wide of the mark, but it mattered not – the Lions ended their season with a win, 29-28.
Man of the match: The Ospreys’ forwards – players like Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves and Morgan Morse – went toe-to-toe with their Lions counterparts. Captain Jaco Visagie scored two tries, but the loose forwards were the most valuable assets, including Jarod Cairns and Renzo du Plessis. My award goes to Lions flank JC Pretorius – with 50 metres from some powerful carries, 20 tackles (beaten only by teammate Jarod Cairns) and a couple of crucial turnovers.
The scorers
For the Lions
Tries: Van der Merwe, Visagie 2, Van Wyk, Dobela
Cons: Dobela 2
For Ospreys
Tries: Griffiths, Ratti, Walsh, Parry
Cons: Edwards 4
Teams
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Izan Esterhuizen, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Will Griffiths, 5 James Fender, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Steffan Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Kian Hire, 19 Lewis Jones, 20 Lewis Lloyd, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Iestyn Hopkins.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
@king365ed
@rugby365com
