Swys de Bruin, coach of the Emirates Lions who went down 30-12 to the Vodacom Bulls at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday, vowed to fight back after the disappointing loss.

De Bruin made no excuses for his side's poor performance and took the defeat on the chin.

The visitors dominated the opening proceedings, pegging the Lions down in their half.

The siege continued as the Lions survived wave after wave of attacks until eventually number eight Duane Vermeulen crashed over in the 29th minute.

The Lions were forced to play with little ball and at the break were trailing 0-14.

The Bulls continued to turn pressure into points, earning a kickable penalty from a line-out drive and extending their lead out to 17-0.

Burly prop Carlu Sadie got over for his first try in the red and white followed by a five pointer by Dylan Smith.

But the road back was too long and the visitors too on song.

Annemie Bester