The Golden Lions are top of the Premier Division log standings thanks to a 37-21 win over the Eastern Province Kings.
Despite racing into a 19-0 lead early on, the Kings rallied back with a spirited performance and the Lions could only seal their success with a late surge on Saturday evening (5 September) in Johannesburg.
The Golden Lions are top of the Premier Division log standings thanks to a 37-21 win over the Eastern Province Kings.
Despite racing into a 19-0 lead early on, the Kings rallied back with a spirited performance and the Lions could only seal their success with a late surge on Saturday evening (5 September) in Johannesburg.
Thanks to their bonus-point win at home, the Golden Lions now top the log with 25 league points, one more than the Blue Bulls, who triumphed 24-17 over a resilient Toyota Free State Cheetahs on a cold and wet Friday evening in Pretoria.
Playing at home in the late Saturday fixture, the lively Golden Lions stamped their authority on proceedings from the outset. A penalty try was followed by flanker Kwagga Smith’s fourth of the season and then another five pointer through centre Stokkies Hanekom gave them a 19-0 lead.
The Kings bounced back with tries from right wing Siyanda Grey and No 8 Paul Schoeman, who scored from a lineout drive. Minutes later, however, flank Stephan de Wit was on hand to take a pop pass from Lions captain, Howard Mnisi, for his side’s bonus point try on the half hour.
After halftime the Kings struck first when Schoeman scored his second try from a driving maul. It then took Lions all of 30 minutes to score again – a penalty by replacement flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff. Right wing Ruan Combrinck scored their fifth try after the siren.
Scorers:
Xerox Golden Lions – Tries: Penalty try, Kwagga Smith, Stokkies Hanekom, Stephan de Wit, Ruan Combrinck; Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (2), Marnitz Boshoff; Penalties: Jaco van der Walt, Marnitz Boshoff
Eastern Province Kings – Tries: Siyanda Grey, Paul Schoeman (2); Conversions: Karlo Apseling (3).
–SARU Corporate Affairs
sport@grocotts.co.za
