Xerox Lions don't get the rub of the green in close loss

September  19 - The Xerox Lions came close enough for a bonus point when they fought back in a tough encounter at Loftus where the Blue Bulls won the Absa Currie Cup clash 24-21 - but it could so easily have been different for the Lions.. Jantjies, who came into the game with 19 successive successful kicks was unfortunate enough to see his two misses strike the uprights. There was also an unfortunate sending off of Wikus van Heerden, on as a substitute, for an alleged high tackle. That was a crucial moment in the game that gave the Blue Bulls the opportunity to drive over via No 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze after the penalty and three minutes later Bulls centre Stefan Watermeyer cut through the 14-man defence to make it 24-9. The game was seemingly lost. But this Lions side is known for their never-say-die attitude. Doppies la Grange scored a minute before Van Heerden returned from the sin-bin and Waylon Murray's try five minutes from time gave the Lions hope at 24-21, but the odds were simply against them. In general the Lions were not as free-running as in their last few matches, for which the Blue Bulls must get full marks for their smothering play. The result means that the Lions have dropped back to fifth spot on the log - but they're only two points behind the Blue Bulls and one behind fourth-placed Free State Cheetahs. ** The Sharks took another major step towards their third consecutive home semifinal in the Absa Currie Cup by picking up a 30-16 bonus point victory over the Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday. And if Western Province - who romped to a 62-10 win over the Pumas on Friday - can build on the momentum they gained since their available Springboks returned from Tri-Nations duty, there is a good chance that both semifinals will be played in close proximity to some of South Africa's most popular beaches. Dressed in pink to raise awareness for cancer sufferers, the Sharks victory over the Free Sate ensured that they move eight points clear of  Province who are on 38 log points. Though the Sharks front row didn't have it all their way against the  formidable Cheetahs pack, they remained composed throughout the match -  and where they lacked at scrum-time, they made up for it with their high  work-rate in general play.    What has further contributed to the superior status the Sharks have in  the domestic competition has to do with the great form No 8 Ryan  Kankowski is in at the moment. His ability to pierce holes in  traditionally strong defensive lines is exemplary. **  Western Province's fortunes have also changed since their backline  reinforcements arrived and with the work centre Juan de Jongh and wing  Gio Aplon are doing at the moment, another three-match losing streak is  unlikely to be repeated this season. In their match against an injury ravaged Pumas squad Province coach  Allister Coetzee was able to bring on his entire bench and they too did  not disappoint. What will be important for the men from the Mother City is just how they  will manage the number of upcoming stars they have in their ranks. ** In the other Currie Cup contest Griquas held on to pick up a 29-20   victory over the luckless Leopards in Kimberly.    This week most of the top sides are expected to secure easy victories as the competition heads into the final phase, with the most important match of the week being the clash of the New Zealand coaches at Coca-Cola Park when the Lions host the Sharks. ** In the First Division Border could not get the better of the Griffons  who secured a 48-33 win while recently relegated Boland managed to secure only their third victory of the season, walking away with a 38-33 win  over South Western Districts. On Friday the Eastern Province Kings put 50 points past the Valke in  Kempton Park to take a seven point log lead over SWD. The Kings bagged a 50-35 win in Kempton Park as they continue their quest  to qualify for the Premier Division.