Season Ends on a High

There have been some wonderful games and some disappointments this season, and having been knocked out of semifinal contention last week, this final match was all about playing for pride and for the supporters who would have gone home ecstatic at the performance and result.

The Xerox Lions saved the best for last as they came from behind in a tense thriller to score the three try-all win at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday evening and end any thoughts Province would have had about beating the home side and securing the bonus point victory.

Going into this match and with The Sharks having score a five-pointer against Griquas in the earlier match, Province knew they had to win, and win well, to secure top spot on the log and the easier route to a home final.  All week they have been speaking up their chances of getting the desired result and how much pressure was on The Sharks shoulders, but not for the first time, the Xerox Lions denied them.

Province started the game like a house on fire, scoring in the first minute of the game through Juan de Jongh and it looked like they might just get their desire, but it was to be an early strike that could not be compounded despite Joe Pietersen getting in for his team’s second try and they were half way to the bonus point.

Star centre Doppies la Grange managed to score late in the half and with both kickers adding a penalty apiece, the teams were about to go into the changerooms with the visiting Province side enjoying a 20-10 lead, only for La Grange to round off from a splendid Willem Albert effort that saw the powerful eighthman shrug off a number of Province tacklers en-route to the score.

At 20-17 down at the break, the home side were well in the game and Province, still searching for the four try victory perhaps lost sight of the initial goal – to win first.  That they were dominated at the breakdown, the Lions again showing commitment and physicality, meant that the visitors were always going to battle.

The third quarter pretty much belonged to Province although they failed to break through the defences and finally the Xerox Lions managed to forge ahead, for the first time in the match when Dusty Noble, back from injury, rounded off an exciting attacking move to put his side in the lead and with Kruger’s third successful try conversion, the home side led 24-20 going into a tense final quarter.

Francois Louw managed to score his team’s third try, but with the unsuccessful conversion, Province had the lead, but a tentative, one-pointer with just over 10 minutes of play remaining.  They could still sniff the bonus point victory but when they conceded a penalty and scrumhalf Chris Jonck stood up – in more ways than one – to convert, the Xerox Lions had snatched the lead back and kicking would prove to be the difference.

In all, a lovely end to a season that hopefully will be built on as the Lions look ahead to a break and then preparations for the 2010 Vodacom Super 14.