The Fidelity ADT Lions were made to work incredibly hard to earn a 25-13 win over the Suzuki Griquas in their Carling Currie Cup clash at Emirates Airline Park on Friday afternoon.
It was a seesaw game that saw the hosts start well before the visitors battled back, with ill-discipline then costing the Griquas as the Lions were able to power away towards the end of the match.
Lions captain Jaco Visagie cut a frustrated figure after the game, admitting that they were happy with the result but not with the performance.
“I am happy with the win, but I am not happy with the way we played. There are plenty of areas that we should have been better, like at the breakdown and in the scrums. So we still have a lot to work on,” said Visagie.
In the match an even opening period was finally broken when the Lions went over for the opening try in the 16th minute.
It came from a Griquas lineout, a third in a row that they lost on their own throw, which allowed the Lions to attack from just inside their half, spreading the ball for right wing Rabz Maxwane to break into the 22m, with the recycled ball popped to inside centre Rynhardt Jonker to reach over and score.
Three minutes later the hosts completed a quickfire double as they worked their way into the Griquas 22m and earned a penalty.
Scrumhalf Nico Steyn then caught the visitors' defence napping with a quick tap to dive over under the posts, converted by flyhalf Sam Francis to give them a 12-0 lead.
The Griquas finally found their feet in the final 10 minutes of the half as they battled back with flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela slotting a 31st- minute penalty.
TWO YELLOWS FOR GRIQUAS
Two minutes later the visitors started an attack in the Lions half, outside centre Sango Xamlashe broke the line and got into the 22m where he was hauled down just short, but flank Carl Els picked up and dived over the in the corner for an unconverted score which made it 12-8 at halftime.
The Lions were first on the board in the second half with a 44th- minute penalty to Francis, but the Griquas swiftly hit back three minutes later.
They set up a lineout in the Lions 22m and attacked, spreading the ball down the line where replacement back Zinedine Robertson got the ball and goose stepped over for an unconverted score to make it 15-13.
The visitors should have taken the lead for the first time in the 57th minute after earning a scrum penalty just outside the 22m almost in front, but Dobela hit his kick wide.
This allowed the Lions to secure the win, aided by two yellow cards in quick succession which reduced the Griquas to 13 men.
First lock Athenkosi Khetani was carded for cynical play at a ruck with the Lions on attack on the Griquas 22m.
The Lions then turned down two opportunities to kick at goal, setting up the lineout twice, the second of which was powering over before it was illegally brought down short, leading to a penalty try and yellow card to replacement lock Derik Pretorius in the 61st minute.
Seven minutes later Francis knocked over his second penalty to move them into a 25-13 lead, with them holding onto it despite a late charge from the Griquas to seal the win.
Scorers
Lions: Tries - Rynhardt Jonker, Nico Steyn, Penalty Try; Conversion - Sam Francis; Penalties - Francis (2)
Griquas: Tries - Carl Els, Zinedine Roberston; Penalty - Lubabalo Dobela