Lions win nail-biter

2019-05-10

On Saturday the Emirates Lions fought their way to a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Waratahs at Emirates Airline Park. Replacement flyhalf Shaun Reynolds slotted a penalty 11 minutes from the end that proved to be the difference between the two sides in a slugfest, where both sides scored four tries apiece and the winner was in doubt until the last seconds.

The Waratahs should be commended for their never-say-die attitude, as they gave as good as they got and with a little more luck could easily have ended up the winning side. But the victory will do well to settle the nerves at Emirates Airline Park, as the last stretch in the competition will be a dogfight with every team in the South African conference still having a chance to go through.

Two points separated the teams at halftime and after the break it looked as if the Lions would start to pull away, when Courtnall Skosan scored early on. The try came from a wonderful rip by Smith and some excellent interplay between Malcolm Marx, captain Warren Whiteley and Stephan Lewies, before the ball found Skosan in space to run away and score.

In the end the Lions managed to hold out for the win, and there was a sigh of relief by their beleaguered coach on his return to his beloved coaching spot.

Scorers for the Emirates Lions

Tries: Aphiwe Dyantyi, Stephan Lewies, Kwagga Smith, Courtnall Skosan. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalty: Shaun Reynolds

Annemie Bester

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