Lions deny WP top spot
10 Oct 2009
An inspired Lions defensive effort laid the platform for an upset 27-25 victory over WP on Saturday.
The result means WP will host the Blue Bulls at Newlands next week while the Cheetahs will travel to Durban to play the first-placed Sharks. The Lions denied the Stormers a semi-final spot in the 2008 Super 14 and WP a play-off berth in subsequent domestic competition. With the display at Ellis Park, they’ve now denied the Cape side an easier path to the Currie Cup final.
The visitors enjoyed the best possible start with Juan de Jongh scoring in the second minute. Duane Vermeulen affected the breakdown steal and Ricky Januarie subsequently freed up gliding second rower Andries Bekker. The Springbok lock was brought to ground before offloading to Francois Louw who in turn found De Jongh in support.
To their credit, the Lions picked themselves up, even when another Bekker break sparked a Joe Pietersen try in the 21st minute. Pietersen, who converted both tries, nailed two penalties to give WP a commanding 17-3 lead after half an hour.
The Lions bumbled several opportunities through shocking handling, but winger Dusty Noble caused the WP defence plenty of problems. After a sustained period on attack, Doppies la Grange slipped through for an important try, and added another on the stroke of half-time to reduce the deficit to 20-17.
It was another WP defensive error that allowed Lions No 8 Willem Alberts to barge through, and only a desperate scramble prevented the colossal loosie from going all the way. The Lions wisely kept it tight, and La Grange’s low body position proved unstoppable.
Bone-jarring defence culled plenty of Province momentum, while a fierce breakdown effort punished the soft clean out attempts of the visitors. The visitors blew a great chance to score their third try early in the second half, the Lions making the defensive hit and then the inevitable turnover.
The defensive pressure forced WP into more attacking errors, as the coughed up possession in promising field positions. Their scrum was also heavily penalised by referee Marius Jonker. Province may have been on a roll in the last few weeks, but up against one of the traditional big-five teams, they looked limited.
The momentum of the game swung with this stonewall display, and when the Lions received another opportunity, they brought their long-suffering supporters to their feet. Noble finished and Herkie Kruger kicked a great conversion to edge the Lions into a 24-20 lead.
WP booted a penalty in the corner in the 67th minute, and they were always going to aim for Bekker and initiate the rolling maul. The hosts did well to sack the first drive, but a powerful pick up from the ruck allowed Francois Louw to reclaim the advantage for WP.
An infringement allowed Chris Jonck to slot a penalty for the Lions, and the home team began to kick for the corners in attempt to force WP to run from their own line. They succeeded in keeping possession and slowing the tempo, and even though WP enjoyed one final crack in the dying seconds, the scoreline remain unchanged.
WP coach Allister Coetzee’s disappointment will be doubled when he realises just how poor Province were in key areas. The Lions have their minor victory, and the defeat has highlighted some concerns ahead of a semi-final clash with a Bulls side that will include plenty of Boks.
By Jon Cardinelli
906 Comments
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10 Oct 2009, 15:51 pm
Come on Lions!
10 Oct 2009, 15:52 pm
This Cubs v Problems game is The Battle of the Ants…. Go Cheetah Dragons!
10 Oct 2009, 15:53 pm
These two teams are fairly equally matched in terms of talent, it’s all about the gameplans today
10 Oct 2009, 16:33 pm
GO LIONS!
10 Oct 2009, 16:34 pm
Wp jou lekka ding!
10 Oct 2009, 16:57 pm
I absolute loved following the Sharks thread. i realy wanted Kwas to get the second bonus point. that would have just reward for an excellent CC season.
10 Oct 2009, 17:04 pm
I agree. Hard luck griquas and thanks for surprising us all this season.
10 Oct 2009, 17:06 pm
Cheetah’s or Bulls no diffs to WP in semi’s. Now its down to the wire.. Wp probably do themselves a favour by getting a bonus win here but I dunno how much diffs it really makes because next week Bulls or Cheetah’s could have Sharks number.
Lions will be big up for this game and Alister already sold his soul to winning ways Lions by sounds of things on the grape vine. Jakey’s little 2 IC lackey.
10 Oct 2009, 17:07 pm
GO LIONS!
10 Oct 2009, 17:09 pm
Nervous. Cmon boys
10 Oct 2009, 17:10 pm
#3 Big Hit:
not sure about that one, lol, i think WP look better on paper.
come on Lions!
10 Oct 2009, 17:11 pm
f’ck, they’ve already scored, might as well go home. hopeless.
10 Oct 2009, 17:12 pm
Jonker Plonker signify’s a ten point adv to Lions
How that for a perfect start. F. Louw ten times the flank ball carrier that Deysel is any day of any week.
10 Oct 2009, 17:13 pm
Looks like it’s Barry Geel v Juan de Jongh for place on the Bok EOY Tour…
10 Oct 2009, 17:14 pm
Lions obstruct and Wp get penalised. Here we go Plonker, winning ways f.ng agenda already sewn up tight.
10 Oct 2009, 17:15 pm
yes yes, it sounds like jonker might give the Lions some help.
lekker.
10 Oct 2009, 17:15 pm
#15 skopskiet: Lol you crack me up!
10 Oct 2009, 17:16 pm
Lions against 16 ( 15 + ref)
10 Oct 2009, 17:16 pm
#15 skopskiet: At least when Lions go for posts you can go and change your nappy…
10 Oct 2009, 17:16 pm
#12 cab:
Have a good night sampling the flesh pots of Paris, Cab?
10 Oct 2009, 17:17 pm
WP is out, regardless of the result today.
10 Oct 2009, 17:18 pm
Plonkers first mistake. When did accidental offside get removed from the rules
10 Oct 2009, 17:18 pm
#20 David:
very sore head.
whats happening, are wp all over the lions? can’t see a damn thing in this forlorn region
10 Oct 2009, 17:19 pm
What ever province gonna smash, the lions then the cheetas amd then gonna wait at the finals for ether the bulls or sharks to limp in
10 Oct 2009, 17:20 pm
is it showing on the net somewhere?
10 Oct 2009, 17:20 pm
#24 Aussie province: They are GONNERS!
10 Oct 2009, 17:22 pm
#23 cab:
I’m not watching, just relying on this thread for details.
10 Oct 2009, 17:22 pm
Could plonker blow the whistle quickly enough?
10 Oct 2009, 17:22 pm
just run at earl, his terrible, WP gonna habe a field day on him
10 Oct 2009, 17:23 pm
#19 panniepeet: ha ha ha!
10 Oct 2009, 17:23 pm
#25 Dantalian:
u can listen on RSG if your taal is suiwer like mine.
10 Oct 2009, 17:25 pm
Come now Dawie (David), point out AP’s spelling mistake!
10 Oct 2009, 17:26 pm
#31 cab: Thanks, seems that’s the only option at the moment.
10 Oct 2009, 17:26 pm
#4 Real Deal: I thought you said Keo moet loop kuk. Your’e going to pak en waai.
10 Oct 2009, 17:27 pm
sorry guys have my bad, it doesn’t change the fact that province is gonna win
10 Oct 2009, 17:28 pm
#13 skopskiet: Deysel far better.
10 Oct 2009, 17:28 pm
#34 nama1: Soon my brother, soon.
10 Oct 2009, 17:28 pm
daar gaan earl…
10 Oct 2009, 17:29 pm
#36 Puma: Agree.
10 Oct 2009, 17:29 pm
Go Lions.
10 Oct 2009, 17:30 pm
#34 nama1: Planning a Grand Exit!
10 Oct 2009, 17:30 pm
thank you Bekker the line breaker got some pace the tall guy.
10 Oct 2009, 17:30 pm
ooohh kak…joe pietersen…onder die pale.
waar is jonker…blaas man blaas.
10 Oct 2009, 17:31 pm
deysel good but F. Louw in amazing form, so his goin to run roit this game and in the finals
10 Oct 2009, 17:31 pm
20mins gone, 2 tries, this could be a drilling, lions still cant tackle.
10 Oct 2009, 17:32 pm
Yes 2nd try joe pietersen! Great to hear strains of proooooovince at ellispark!
10 Oct 2009, 17:32 pm
Hou vir Januarie dop.
Nothing like starting a game to get your groove back.
What do they say about form is temporarily but class is …
10 Oct 2009, 17:32 pm
Go Province!!!!!!!!
10 Oct 2009, 17:33 pm
common boys bring it home
10 Oct 2009, 17:33 pm
#47 nama1: …out?
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