WP end Lion's unbeaten run
2018-09-15
Western Province beat the Golden Lions 65-36 in a high scoring Currie Cup match at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon, to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition.
The North/South derby saw two of the competition's unbeaten sides come up against each other in a mouth-watering clash at Ellis Park.
The Lions have been in scintillating form this season with three wins from three, but Province had other ideas as they completely blew the home side out of the water in the first half with some skilful and efficient rugby.
With barely a minute on the clock, Province struck first blood with a try through Springbok Dillyn Leyds who benefited from a brilliant break down in the middle, from South African Under-20 eighth-man Juarno Augustus. SP Marais added the extras before he was on the kicking tee again to stretch their lead through a penalty kick.
The Lions hit back almost immediately, when Lionel Mapoe - who could well see himself back in the Springbok frame in the coming weeks due to injuries sustained to Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende - cut through the middle before Shaun Reynolds burrowed his way over the line. Reynolds added a penalty to narrow the score to three points at 13-10, but those proved to be the Lions final points of the first half as a flurry of Province tries followed.
Province had a commanding 39-10 lead at the break. The second half was as frenetic as the first, as tries simply didn't dry up for either side.
Replacement hooker Pieter Jansen and Hacjivah Dayimani scored for the home side to bring the scores closer. WP then scored two more tries to bury the game and condemn the Lions to their first Currie Cup defeat of the season.
Annemie Bester