Lions break Currie Cup duck with win over Western Province

The Sigma Lions finally broke their Carling Currie Cup duck with a big 33-10 win over DHL Western Province in their encounter at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday evening.

It was a massive defensive effort, coupled with a man-of-the-match performance from flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel who scored 18 of the Lions points that saw them secure the positive result and end Province’s chances of making the play-offs.

The Lions got off to a good start in the match as they took play into Province’s 22m, where they got close, allowing hooker Morne Brandon to power his way over for the opening score, while flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel missed the conversion.

The fast start to the game then continued as a penalty from Tim Swiel was then followed by the Liosn scoring their second with a counter attack led by Swanepoel, ending with wing Stean Pienaar going over for the score, with the extras making it 12-3 after nine minutes.

The Lions then produced a superb team try, with the ball going through multiple hands before fullback Quan Horn received the last pass and sprinted away for the unconverted score, with the hosts 17-3 ahead after 23 minutes.

A Swanepoel penalty six minutes from the break then gave the Lions a solid lead at halftime.

The start of second half then belonged to Western Province as they set up shop in the Lions 22m, putting them under massive pressure.

Eventually it told and Lions lock Ruben Schoeman was sent to the bin after multiple penalties, with Province then back on attack on the Lions line, with captain Nama Xaba then dotting down for the score and the conversion from Swiel making it 20-10 after 48 minutes.

Province then continued to dominate, but some brilliant defence from the home side managed to keep them out.

This allowed the Lions to finally work their way back into Province territory and earn a 65th minute penalty, which Swanepoel slotted, followed a monster kick a few minutes later from in his own half which put them up 26-10.

It was then deservedly Swanepoel who ended the match as a contest as they made their way back into the Province 22m, attacked down the short side with Swanepoel getting the final pass and going over for a converted score to make sure of the result.

SCORERS

LIONS 33: Tries: Morne Brandon, Stean Pienaar, Quan Horn, Tiaan Swanepoel, Conversions: Tiaan Swanepoel (2), Penalties: Tiaan Swanepoel (3)

WESTERN PROVINCE 10: Try: Nama Xaba, Conversion: Tim Swiel, Penalty: Tim Swiel