A strong second-half performance from the Fidelity ADT Lions saw them secure their second successive win of this year’s Currie Cup campaign as they out muscled the Cell C Sharks 34-22 for a bonus-point win at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, in the fourth round of the competition.
Both sides missed early penalty opportunities, Lions flyhalf Vaughen Isaacs aiming wide in the third minute and opposite number Fred Zeilinga returning the favour in the 12th minute.
As the sides battled for the early ascendency and the initial breakthrough, it was the Lions who broke the deadlock, No 8 Jarod Cairns picking up a loose ball, breaking some tackles and offloading to fullback Tiaan Swanepoel who touched down in the right corner. Isaacs missed the conversion. (5-0)
From the restart, the Sharks attacked the Lions line, spending much time in the Lions 22, but strong defence kept the Sharks out.
However, numerous penalties in favour of the Sharks meant something had to give and in the 24th minute, Sharks hooker Fez Mbatha crashed over for a pushover try from a lineout. Zeilinga also kicked wide and the scores were level at 5-5.
The Sharks took the lead six minutes before the break when No 8 Thembelani Bholi scored under the posts after a good build up which saw great hands, continuity and ball retention.
Zeilinger added the extras and the Sharks headed for the changerooms 12-5 ahead.
Zeilinger did attempt a long range penalty from within the Sharks half in the dying minutes of the half, but an erratic display of kicking from him saw the effort go wide.
RUB SALT IN THE WOUND
Soon after the second period began, referee Paul Mente reached for his first yellow card, sending Sharks replacement hooker Masikane Mazwi to the sin bin for obstruction, ruining a certain Lions try.
Mente had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try to lock the score once more at 12-12.
Lions scrumhalf Nico Steyn gave the initiative to his side when he scored in the 54th minute, picking up the ball and diving over from close after sustained pressure from the Lions. Isaacs converted and the Lions had edged ahead 19-12.
Zeilinga missed another penalty attempt for the Sharks in the 66th minute but soon after, Steyn bagged his second try of the afternoon, his sixth of this year’s competition, when he finished off a great move started by wing Jurich Claasens after he took a high ball, broke free and enabled Steyn to take the Lions further ahead.
Isaacs, also having an indifferent afternoon with the boot, kicked wide. (24-12).
With 10 minutes remaining, the Sharks scored their first points of the second half when lock Hyron Andrews went over after a Sharks steal from a ruck. Lionel Cronje converted and the Sharks were back in striking distance at 24-19.
An Isaacs penalty in the 77th minute put the Lions 27-19 ahead, but Cronje looked to have secured a bonus point for the Sharks when he knocked over a three-pointer in the 80th minute. (27-22)
However, the Lions were not done and rubbed salt in the wound when flanker Ruhan Straeuli broke Sharks hearts in injury time as he picked up the ball and stretched for the line. Isaacs converted and the 34-22 win was sealed.
Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Stean Pienaar, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Ilunga Mukendi, 10 Vaughen Isaacs, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Peter-John Steenkamp, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Morne Brandon, 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Jurich Claasens, 23 Matt More.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penze, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Murray Koster (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Alwayno Visagie, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Thembelani Bholi, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Devon Martinus, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Damon Royle, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.