MTN Golden Lions move to second on the log after slow start

April 2 – The MTN Golden Lions overcame an error-ridden start to their Vodacom Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday to run out convincing 37-19 winners and move into second place in the North Section log of the competition.

The Cheetahs began with purpose and flyhalf Johan Goosen put them in an early lead with three penalties, making it 9-0 after 14 minutes. But the Golden Lions’ flyhalf Burton Francis kept his team in touch with two penalties to give the Free State a narrow 9-6 lead after 17 minutes.

Then the inexperience of the young visitors began showing. Lions captain and No 8 Dries van Schalkwyk scored two tries, the first coming in the 27th minute when he dived over under the posts after a good build-up.

Then, on the stroke of halftime, Francis fielded a midfield ball near halfway and sidestepped past several Cheetahs chasers before the ball found its way to hooker Martin Bezuidenhout who ran well before offloading at the perfect moment to wing Dusty Noble on his inside.

Van Schalkwyk got his second just after the restart when a good run down the left-hand touchline by Jannie Boshoff saw Francis stab a kick through near the line, which the No 8 gratefully poached in front of the noses of a number of Cheetahs defenders.

Bezuidenhout was rewarded for his efforts with the bonus-point try after 51 minutes, converted again by Francis for a 37-9 lead.

The Golden Lions then let the foot of the pedal to some degree as the replacements came on and through resting on their big lead. Free State replacements Franna du Toit and Marcel van der Merwe got over for the Free Staters with late consolation scores but it was too little, too late for the young Bloemfontein side.

Scorers:

Golden Lions: Tries: Dries van Schalkwyk (2), Dusty Noble, Martin Bezuidenhout. Conversions: Burton Francis (4). Penalties: Francis (3).

Free State: Try: Franna du Toit, Marcel van der Merwe. Penalties: Johan Goosen (3).