Green pick of the crop

2020-02-08

Tyrone Green was the pick of the crop as he not only scored his first ever Vodacom Super Rugby try but crossed the whitewash twice to help the Emirates Lions to a 27-20 victory over a gutsy Reds side at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.

The Lions and Reds came into this encounter on the hunt for a maiden victory this season after both suffering defeats in the opening round.

The visitors had the ascendancy come set piece time while the Lions dominated territory and possession, but neither side managed to outright control the match.

It was a see-saw contest in the first half, as the teams reached the 15th-minute mark locked at 10-10. Green scored two unconverted tries in the right and left corners of the field, while the Reds got their points via a fortuitous try and a penalty.

The Lions’ struggles at the set phases cost them and after conceding yet another scrum penalty, sis time within kicking range, the Reds fullback knocked over a second penalty to put the visitors in front.

On their part, the Lions had plenty of scoring opportunities, but staunch Reds defence kept them at bay. 

Somehow, right on the stroke of half time, the Lions managed to hang on to the ball at a line-out and Marnus Schoeman stormed over. Captain Elton Jantjies landed the conversion for a 17-13 lead at the break.

The match sparked into life by the start of the fourth quarter. The Lions saved their best for last as they ran the ball from deep before Courtnall Skosan found a hole in the defence for what proved to be the winning score.

The Reds attack asked a few questions of the Lions defence late in the game, but the hosts held firm to seal a fortunate win.

Annemie Bester