An inspired Lions side prevented the Sharks from lifting the SA Shield at Ellis Park on Saturday with a dominant performance.
The Lions ran in four tries, while flyhalf Chris Smith was flawless off the kicking tee, in a 34-22 win. The home side led 20-10 at half-time.
The result saw the Lions climb from 10th to seventh on the Vodacom URC log, while they are now just a point behind the men from Durban in the SA Shield.
After impressive back-to-back victories over the Stormers, the Sharks were favourites coming into the clash against a Lions side that had shipped 52 points in their previous match against the Vodacom Bulls.
But the Lions were sharper all over the park against an out-of-sorts Sharks who made numerous unforced errors throughout the match.
Early Lions pressure resulted in a ruck infringement and Smith kicked a penalty, before a scything break by centre Bronson Mills was stopped just short of the line.
However, the Sharks finally got into the game after turning down a kickable penalty for a lineout. Hooker Fez Mbatha went over from the resulting maul and flyhalf Siya Masuku converted.
After a second Smith penalty had reduced the deficit to one point, the Sharks suffered a hammer blow when scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was yellow-carded for a cynical infringement. The Lions kicked for a lineout and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye crashed over for a converted try.
Two minutes later, the Lions were in again, a kick to backfield brilliantly scooped up by wing Kelly Mpeku, who popped up a pass for scrumhalf Morne van den Berg to run in unopposed.
Kelly Mpeku does the hard yards and Morné van den Berg finishes it off
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The half ended in dramatic fashion when Mills was yellow-carded for a head-high hit on Francois Venter. Masuku slotted the penalty from in front and the Sharks went into half-time 10 points down.
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The 14 men of the Lions came out roaring after the break with debutant Siba Mahashe crashing over after sustained pressure.
But the Sharks hit right back with another penalty-lineout-maul routine, this time flank Tino Mavesere going over to make it 27-15.
But the Lions were not to be denied and flank Ruan Venter, back from a lengthy suspension picked up in the Durban clash between the sides, was next to go over for the bonus-point try.
With 15 minutes to go, replacement Lions hooker Franco Marais received yellow for a dangerous challenge.
The Sharks scored a third try, through centre Jurenzo Julius, after the hooter but it was little consolation.
Next week the Sharks face the Bulls at Loftus, while the Stormers travel to Joburg to face the Lions.
LIONS – Tries: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Morne van den Berg, Siba Mahashe, Ruan Venter. Conversions: Chris Smith (4). Penalties: Chris Smith (2).
SHARKS – Tries: Fez Mbatha, Tino Mavesere, Jurenzo Julius. Conversions: Siya Masuku, Jordan Hendrikse. Penalty: Siya Masuku.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Fired-up Lions stun Sharks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
An inspired Lions side prevented the Sharks from lifting the SA Shield at Ellis Park on Saturday with a dominant performance.
The post Fired-up Lions stun Sharks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
