The Emirates Lions gave themselves an early Christmas present as they ended the year on a high with a 35-13 win over the Newcastle Falcons in their EPCR Challenge Cup match in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Emmanuel Tshituka scored a brace and Sanele Nohamba kicked five from five as the Lions grabbed a bonus point victory to remain unbeaten and have one foot in the qualification for the Round of 16 with two more games to play.
After their win away against Perpignan last weekend much was expected from this Lions team back at home against a struggling Falcons side.
And while the game was scrappy and difficult at times, they kept to their purpose and scored when necessary to complete a workmanlike performance.
The game is their last for the year with the festive derbies against the Sharks and Bulls being shifted to January, so the players can now sit back and enjoy the festive season with smiles on their faces.
The Falcons have had a tough season but showed a lot of fight and niggle in the game, often upsetting the Lions' rhythm, although the home side found a way to win when it mattered.
Despite starting poorly and being under the pump in the opening minutes of the game, the Lions used their pack - with Darrien Landsberg, Tshituka and Willem Alberts in particular the standouts of the performance - to open the Newcastle defence and their opening two tries came from lineout mauls.
CAPTAIN LOUW INSPIRES
First it was PJ Botha, who twisted out of the maul, into a tackle and out again to place the ball over the whitewash and then it was his front row mate, JP Smith, who went over later in the half with Alberts on his back.
Despite the poor start, the Lions led 14-3 but Brett Connon added his second penalty to leave his side eight points adrift at the break.
The Lions finally got the breakthrough in the 50th minute of the game as a lineout move saw Tshituka surge through a gap and score untouched to give them some breathing room.
But robust play by the Falcons saw them batter the Lions' defence shortly afterwards and they were finally rewarded when Freddie Lockwood went over for what would be their only try from close range.
The Lions' counter attack finally hit some form with Rynhardt Jonker taking the gap and captain Marius Louw, who had an inspired game, getting the last pass to add the bonus point try and late in the game, with the Falcons clearly tiring, it wasn’t a surprise to see Tshituka force his way over from close range to seal the victory.
And while it may be early days yet, the best gift the Lions could have given themselves was the one of a positive start to the season and from the look of it right now, they have every right to go into the new year full of hope and confidence.
Scorers
Emirates Lions - tries: PJ Botha, JP Smith, Emmanuel Tshituka (2), Marius Louw. Conversions: Sanele Nohamba (5).
Newcastle Falcons - try: Freddie Lockwood. Conversion: Brett Connon. Penalties: Connon (2)