The Lions completely outplayed the Stormers XXIII at Ellis Park on Friday to remain in Currie Cup contention.
The Joburg-based side ran in five tries to secure a 36-12 bonus-point win over an error-ridden Stormers side.
It moved the Lions up to third on the log, three points ahead of the Pumas and four ahead of Boland, who play the Cheetahs and Griquas respectively in the final round of the league stage this weekend.
The sixth-placed Stormers’ playoff hopes are over.
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The Lions opened the scoring when flyhalf Matt Coetzee landed an early penalty goal.
The hosts continued to apply pressure and were rewarded when fullback Gilermo Mentoe cantered over for the opening try.
Despite some strong attempts, the Stormers struggled to build sustained momentum, with handling errors and penalties hampering their efforts. They came close to opening their account after taking a quick tap close to the Lions’ line, but lost possession.
The Lions, however, continued to threaten as the half progressed and the pressure finally told in the 38th minute when captain Jarod Cairns scored from a powerful maul.
Coetzee could not add the conversion, but the Lions went into the break holding a 15-0 advantage.
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Despite some errors creeping into their game, the Lions tightened their grip on the contest. Junior Boks centre Ethan Adams got his name on the scoresheet 15 minutes into the second half after a chip-and-chase and a favourable bounce.
Flank Renzo du Plessis secured the bonus point for the Lions in the final quarter, slicing through the porous Stormers defence.
It needed something spectacular to get the visitors on the board, and that’s exactly what Markus Muller produced. The young centre showed strength to break the line and then pace to outstrip the defenders.
Muller’s try seemed to add a bit of spark to the Stormers’ attack, but that was soon extinguished when replacement back Dominic Malgas was shown a yellow card for a shoulder-to-head tackle.
Winger Latica Nela put the shine on an accomplished Lions performance just minutes from full-time, before Stormers replacement hooker Altus Rabe went over from a strong maul for a consolation try.
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LIONS – Tries: Gilermo Mentoe, Jarod Cairns, Ethan Adams, Renzo du Plessis, Latica Nela. Conversions: Matt Coetzee (4). Penalty: Coetzee.
STORMERS XXIII – Tries: Markus Muller, Altus Rabe. Conversion: Kyle Smith.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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The Lions completely outplayed the Stormers XXIII at Ellis Park on Friday to remain in Currie Cup contention.
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