Hook nails late winner
13 Jun 2009
Replacement James Hook goaled a penalty in the 74th minute to give the Lions a scrappy 26-23 win over WP.
The rain abated from kickoff to climax, but the heavy showers around lunchtime certainly left their mark on the Newlands turf. The greasy ball was even harder to field given the turbulent wind, as WP fullback Joe Pietersen indicated on more than one occasion.
The Lions employed the high-ball tactic to good effect as Pietersen and company dropped several bombs to hand the visitors both territory and possession. The first quarter was characterised by garryowens, probes for touch and low-trajectory grubbers, and for the most part it was the Lions who executed these kicks better.
Willem de Waal kicked two penalties and a drop goal in the first half while Pietersen sunk a drop goal of his own, but unfortunately for the home fans, WP just never looked like scoring a try. The Newlands’ faithful screamed whenever the hosts drew close, but as the move broke down a more prominent cry of ‘Lions, Lions’ could be heard from the travelling contingent.
Wales No 8 Andy Powell stood out for the tourists, beating the first tackler with his dangerous combo of quick feet and powerful upper-body strength. It was a Powell break that sparked the first try as the Lions’ backs and forwards combined to expose some poor WP defence.
Powell offloaded to Martyn Williams who in turn popped a smart pass to Stephen Jones. Rob Kearney took it wide, throwing a great floating pass in spite of conditions. Tommy Bowe received the ball on WP’s 22, spun out of one tackle, stepped inside another and bust through two more to dot down.
Bowe’s direct running set up the visitors’ second try in the 35th minute, and again credit must go to the shocking WP defence. Bowe slid through the first line effortlessly and was eventually hauled in by Tonderai Chavhanga after repelling the hapless Pietersen. He also found the time to deliver a basketball-pass to fellow winger Ugo Monye, who showed great anticipation and pace to finish.
De Waal goaled a penalty right on half-time to reduce the deficit to 18-12, but WP were struggling to stay in the match.
The scrums were a mess with both teams falling foul to a slippery pitch while the Lions’ lineout were solid on their own ball and competitive on WP’s. The breakdowns were also a mess with no team obtaining a clear advantage.
De Waal’s penalty attempt just after the break dropped under the bar, but several moments later he was on target to further narrow the gap. Province began to believe, and this was exemplified by lock Anton van Zyl’s scuffle with opposite number Donncha O’Callaghan.WP were outclassed but were determined to go down fighting.
But there was never enough accuracy in their fight for it to amount to any real threat. They bounced off too many first-time tackles and dropped too many passes. There were several turnovers that the Cape crowd cheered, but these were very minor and insignificant victories.
The Lions piled on the pressure and eventually the WP resistance crumbled again in the 57th minute. They built through the phases never shifting out from the first-receiver, and eventually Williams flopped over in the corner.
Stephen Jones’s goal-kicking radar was off in this fixture and he’ll surely be keen to get back up to the highveld. Newlands is notorious for its difficult goal-kicking conditions but that hardly seem to affect De Waal, who kicked an important penalty in the 61st minute to keep the hosts in the game at 23-18.
Province drew level three minutes later when a sustained period of pressure paid dividends. They looked to have butchered an opportunity but remained patient, and when the overlap was created De Waal threw a good overhead pass to Pietersen who showcased his finishing ability. De Waal, couldn’t convert from the touchline, but at 23-23 with 16 minutes remaining, the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
Hook didn’t fare any better than Jones with his first penalty attempt, and so the Lions failed to take the lead. Brimming with confidence, the hosts fought their way into Lions territory but were undone by a handling error again. This time it was De Waal who dropped the ball cold.
Hook goaled a difficult penalty from 50m out to regain the lead and from here the Lions fought to hang on. Again they were helped by WP’s errors, an attacking movement in Lions territory coming to nought due to a forward pass. On the hooter, Pietersen also grubbered the ball away to hand the visitors victory.
It was a far from polished performance from the men in red, but the bottom line is the Lions have won their fifth match in succession and gained further match preparation ahead of next Saturday’s Test in Durban.
By Jon Cardinelli, at Newlands
657 Comments
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13 Jun 2009, 18:57 pm
Pietman het jy nog n stem?
13 Jun 2009, 18:57 pm
#539 carol: guess we deserve it sometimes lol… but I still think Grants ok, well ok-ish now lmfao
generally been made to feel very welcome, though there is a couple of people who have it in for me now… but it adds a bit of spice, life would be boring otherwise
13 Jun 2009, 18:57 pm
#531 carol: I want to see the game out takes. Bet the camera man kept focused on the girls for a long while afterwards. probably got fired. LOL
13 Jun 2009, 18:59 pm
#541 JimT: never ever never will i support the kiwis….Then Aussies and poms…just the way it is…respect them…but Boks, ireland, wales, Scotland,France….in that order….oh yes…argies after ireland!!
13 Jun 2009, 18:59 pm
#541 JimT: hehehe true… but to compare him to BH hahaha not sure which one should feel offended
13 Jun 2009, 18:59 pm
#532 grant10: 1st choice? He didn’t have a clue. Now I understand your complaints about Stormers front row. He wasn’t even trying.
13 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#533 JimT: Not gone yet…They tried at the Bay of Pigs…and the 300 attempts to Kill Fidel…I am an Atheist…but that seems unexplainable other than saying Fidel has tough angels working for him#534 wooden spoon: It is best that you grabble with that one… you might discover a better world beyond your wildest dreams
13 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#541 grant10:
So jy was ok, klink my, hehehehe!
Mooi man.
#545 poppa69:
I am always on your side cuz…
remember that, even if you are wrong….until you have paid off your beer tab!!!
13 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#538 Pietman: Flok Pieta, ek willie deur ‘n Kubaanse “dokter” doodgedokter word hier in SA nie…
Die lot is mos vervuil hier in die SA Staatshospitale… maak net kuk waar hulle gaan…
In SA MOET mens ‘n mediese skema he, sodat jy nie onder daai spul kuk se behandeling beland nie… dis nie onderhandelbaar nie… privaat medies, nie flippen Staatsmedies nie !!
Mens sal vrek man !
13 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#544 poppa69: its nothing personal ever….just the way it is…difficult to explain….i was off my seat last 10 minutes of france game today….
13 Jun 2009, 19:02 pm
Pietman ek loop net as Niemand is om mee te praat,soos Nou.
13 Jun 2009, 19:02 pm
#539 carol: You need to grill Grant on this when you arrive in CT. I demand answers on this question. His Kiwi bias is out of character for the man. There must be a deep seated reason. It may take you several sessions of therapy for him to reveal the truth
13 Jun 2009, 19:02 pm
#550 Langenhoven:
‘I am an atheist’?
That statement should win you some friends here on keo…let see who?
13 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
#549 Langenhoven: It’s best you forget about perpetuating these “social category” notions or else you will keep fooling yourself that you are a victim all your life.
13 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
#550 Pietman: well at the rate Ive been going the last few weeks cuz, you are going to be one very inebriated Saffa …
cheers
13 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
#509 carol: It is one of the francolin species, not sure witch one though. But the camouflage
so well in the grass you cant find them once you lost them out of sight.
13 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
#538 Pietman: Your Dementia is kicking up again Pietman… Pille tyd…Nie die Bloues nie…Los dit vir later..
13 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
#542 grant10: check your mail! Heheheh
13 Jun 2009, 19:04 pm
#552 grootblousmile:
Daar is n Kubaantjie in Worcester, by die staatshospitaal, my pa se sy is goed.
Hulle dokters is fyn opgelei, en hule hol vir n vale na SA, want in hulle land vrek hulle van die honger…
13 Jun 2009, 19:05 pm
confed cup tomorrow,,,,proteas in full swing,baby boks doing the business….cool bananas!!
13 Jun 2009, 19:05 pm
OK nice distraction here but time to move on again…..
13 Jun 2009, 19:06 pm
#556 wooden spoon: Me a victim…with my massive ego…LMAO…remember what your name is…you chose that all on your own
13 Jun 2009, 19:07 pm
#560 Langenhoven:
Ja ok Sean, laat jy gaan.
Jy is n ‘lost case’, voorwaar.
Gaan gesels maar daar met ‘klein Sarah’ en Transie en Lilith en julle lot….
Tjeers my klong, hoppalong…
13 Jun 2009, 19:07 pm
#552 grant10: no dramas Grant, I respect your choices… each have to live our lives by following our hearts…
I was on the edge of my seat too, until the man I have been saying all along should have had to play a year of S14 in NZ first decided to assist France for the second game in a row, yes, Im talking about cool hand Luke (the kiwi version)…
13 Jun 2009, 19:09 pm
#558 poppa69:
Hehehe!
Remind me cuz…
13 Jun 2009, 19:09 pm
#555 Pietman: No Friends on Keo??…everybody loves me…the most lovable atheist on earth
13 Jun 2009, 19:11 pm
#554 JimT: i hinted #554 JimT: i hinted at my reason before…i think you know….in a good mood so dont want to rehash…
13 Jun 2009, 19:12 pm
#549 Langenhoven: Well the Kennedys paid the ultimate price for those multiple attempts. Fidel made only one serious, successful attempt. Tito threatened Stalin the same way, i.e. he would only need one shot. Stalin backed off. Robert K had his regrets about that afterwards.
13 Jun 2009, 19:13 pm
#564 Langenhoven: Lol, you keep making a big deal about my nick. That’s your interpretation. Small things amuse small minds hey!
13 Jun 2009, 19:13 pm
#566 poppa69: LOL…Who is that poppa?
13 Jun 2009, 19:15 pm
#569 Langenhoven:
Faaaaaaark, jy is so siek soos n budgie met n kopwurm… DaOne/ 3rdDay/The Almighty/LukeisKlaas/CuitoCarnivale/KhoisanKing/Tulsa/provinceboutjie/..en hoeveel ander name nog?
Nee jong, jy is gefok, gaan Cuba toe, jy sal aard daar by oom Fidel, glo my.
13 Jun 2009, 19:16 pm
#570 JimT: Good one…but it is a myth the Fidel had anything to do with the kennedy assasination…
CHEERS all …I really need to get done now
13 Jun 2009, 19:16 pm
#569 grant10: No problem. We are sending down our psychiatric expert, Carol, to investigate. I expect a full report on the matter, with recommendations for treatment
13 Jun 2009, 19:17 pm
#566 poppa69: will explain my lack of supportfor kiwis to you one day poppa…
13 Jun 2009, 19:18 pm
#575 JimT: will explain fully 1 day….used to like them….1998 and a certain after match incident with Bob Skinstad left me cold….
13 Jun 2009, 19:18 pm
#574 Langenhoven: Suggest you read “Live By The Sword” by Gus Russo. It’s an interesting read. I think Fidel the only one with a serious motive.
13 Jun 2009, 19:19 pm
#575 JimT: LOL….Carol and me on a couch…..the WRS would object…
13 Jun 2009, 19:19 pm
#573 Pietman: Plathoven kan nou maar gerus gaan, die self absorbed SOB !!
13 Jun 2009, 19:20 pm
Ek wag tot die poepol weg is voor ek verder blog.
13 Jun 2009, 19:21 pm
#577 grant10:
left me cold as well…
13 Jun 2009, 19:21 pm
#579 grant10: LOL. Tell all to Carol, off the couch please says WRS, & we will evaluate
13 Jun 2009, 19:22 pm
#582 gunther: So what happened?
13 Jun 2009, 19:22 pm
#567 Pietman: be about a dozen now wouldnt it cuz?
13 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
#585 poppa69: POPPA, WTF happened to the AB’s today?
13 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
#572 grant10: Mr McAllister mate… yellow card in world cup, big red bow around the ball as he handed it off to the french player to race away and score the winning try today…
13 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
#583 JimT: i will do Jim#582 gunther: yeah…i was there …bloody disgusting thugs…
13 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
#587 poppa69: ok….yes…crushing blow that intercept…next week at wellington no gimmee either…those frogs will smell blood now..
13 Jun 2009, 19:28 pm
#586 Ed_the_Lion: Hey Ed.. yes mate, they were poor… lost the game in the first 30 minutes, forwards didnt turn up until then, option taking was poor… Still, they had chances to win it, Toeava dropping the ball 15 metres out with no pressure summed up the night…
Was never a fan of his either (Toeava, no BMT)… but I think its a good thing really… maybe if we lose a few inbetween world cups, we may actually do the unthinkable..
13 Jun 2009, 19:29 pm
#584 JimT:
lets just say that mr marshall and his mates did not enjoy thir finest hour… very unsavoury behaviour…
13 Jun 2009, 19:30 pm
#590 poppa69: a mate of mine remarked that he had never seen such a weak Kiwi side….yet they almost won…speaks volumes for you guys…
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