One log point will see MTN Golden Lions into U-21 play-offs |
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September 25 – The MTN Golden Lions had to play catch-up virtually throughout their Absa Under-21 fixture against the Blue Bulls at Coca-Cola Park than ended in a 33-21 victory for the visitors on Saturday.
Two early penalties each by Blue Bulls flyhalf JC Roos and Lions pivot Hein Cronje saw the teams at even keel after 12 minutes, but then Sevens Springbok Sampie Mastriet’s try and a third penalty by Roos opened up an eight-point lead for the visitors (14-6). Another Roos penalty took it to 17-6 for the Blue Bulls before Lions captain Robert de Bruyn’s converted try just before the break reduced the lead to 17-13 at halftime.
The Lions were very much in it when Ruan Combrinck scored the Lions’ second try five minutes after the resumption (18-17 to the Lions), but then the Blue Bulls pulled away after two more penalties were traded and former Monnas star Bradley Moolman scored after 67 minutes to make it (25-21). The Lions simply could not make up the deficit, and when Roos kicked his sixth penalty and Bulls fullback Clayton Blommetjies went over five minutes from time it was all over at 33-21.
The loss, without a bonus point, leaves the Lions in fourth place. A single log point from their last three matches will ensure a semi-final place as they currently lead the fifth-placed Leopards by ten log points, with the maximum points the Leopards can earn being 28. The Lions can of course still finish in a rather unlikely second place if results go their way and they have a fair chance of ending third.
The sides play 12 matches each in the league phase of the competition.
The top five log positions are (log points, matches played):
WP 39, 9
Blue Bulls 38, 10
Sharks 30, 9
Lions 28, 9
Leopards 18, 10
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