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September 19 - The MTN Golden Lions need two points from their remaining four league matches to ensure that they qualify for the semi-finals of the Absa Under-21 competition after their convincing 44-20 win over the Leopards in Potchefstroom last weekend.
Trailing 22-20 at halftime it was still anyone’s game, but the Lions scored three of their six tries after the break and denied the Potchefstroom side any points in the second half. The result has now ensured that the Leopards are out of the semi-finals running.
Fullback Ruan Combrinck scored 19 of the points through a try, two penalties and four conversions, with the other tries coming from Anthony Volmink, Carel Greeff, Francois du Toit, Johann de Goede and Wandile Majekevu.
The Lions will now chase the three top sides in the competition to finish the league phase as high as possible on the log to ensure more favourable play-off venues. They are only two points behind the third-placed Sharks and have a match in hand; six points behind the Blue Bulls, also with a match in hand; and trail log leaders Western Province by seven points, with both sides still four matches form their full quota.
Free State, having played a match more than the Golden Lions, are 14 points behind in fifth place. Only three five-pointers for the Free State and less than two for the Lions in their last four matches will deny the Lions a play-off berth.
However, although it is highly improbable that they will be denied a play-off berth, it will take a huge effort to make inroads into the leaders’ log positions. The run-in for the Lions is not an easy one. They still have to play the Blue Bulls (at home), Free State (away), Western Province (home) and the Sharks (away).
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