Losing Xerox Lions probably out of the semi-finals, but… |
October 2 - Despite a plucky show and their now famous fight back under adversity, the Xerox Lions lost their Absa Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday 43-37.
The Lions took two bonus points from the game by losing by less than seven points and scoring four tries, and the Free State Cheetahs moved into third place on the log when they scored six tries in their win.
For the Lions, the defeat almost certainly spells the end of the road after their magnificent run of late during which they won six from eight. However, despite the defeat, the Lions can still mathematically make the play-offs in two weeks’ time.
That seems improbable and will depend on either the Free State losing to the winless Leopards at Bafokeng or the Blue Bulls being defeated by Griquas in Kimberley.
Such an event could put the Lions even on the log – but that also depends on if the Lions take five points off the Pumas at Coca-Cola Park next weekend and pile on the points to win by a huge score to win the count-out, as both the free State and the Blue Bulls have a much better points differential.
** On Saturday, the Lions played some wonderful rugby with interlinking and good support, but ultimately a few handling errors too many and a slipped tackle here and there at crucial times against a side that took their chances cost Franco van der Merwe’s team.
The Free State Cheetahs initially controlled matters, winning more of the breakdowns and on top in the territorial stakes.
The Lions, when they got their hands on the ball, were dangerous with their interplay and only two great tackles in a single move by prop WP Nel denied them early on.
The Lions were 5-0 down after only 90 second following a good run and off-load by Meyer Bosman after a quick scrum free-kick taken by Ashley Johnson – but then Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies came into his own as he scored 17 points and set up two of his side’s four tries.
First he kicked two penalties to put his side 6-6 up before the Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom pulled three points back. Then, running on the halfway line, Jantjies threw a pass that might have been marginally forward. Michael Killian, with a small dummy pass off-loaded to his inside where Burton Francis collected to go over under the posts. He converted and then, after Strydom had kicked another penalty to make it 13-11 to the Lions, Jantjies showed his class again.
He grubbered to the right touchline e, and there Lions No 8 Josh Strauss kept his balance a centimetre from touch to go over. Jantjies converted the angled kick, but three minutes later the Free State Cheetahs did what every side dreams of by scoring on the halftime whistle. Daniller, who had an excellent game, kicked over the defence, gathered and via lock Francois Uys the try was scored by the lively No 8 Johnson.
The 20-16 halftime lead of the Lions was wiped out within the first minute after the break when home captain Adriaan Strauss barged over from a ruck following good play from Bosman. With Strydom converting, the Free State were ahead again (23-20). The two scores within two minutes shook the Lions.
To rub it in, the Free State produced another of those great individual tries that marked the match ten minutes later. Johnson ran an excellent line as Strydom off-loaded a subtle pass that might have been forward. But Johnson was right through. When the cover defence came, the Springbok chipped ahead, got the bounce and scored. Strydom missed his third from four conversions, but the Cheetahs had their bonus point and were now 28-20 ahead after 17 points in 15 minutes.
Jantjies’ third penalty was followed by a great run from Free State’s Strauss and Nel’s steamroller try. This time Strydom was successful and his team went into a 12-point lead at 35-23, and it was further stretched when Bosman added one of his famous long range penalties (38-23 with 16 minutes to go).
It became an eight-point game when Lions replacement loose-forward Warren Whiteley ran well and fed replacement hooker Edgar Marutlulle for a try under the posts (38-30). The game was on, but a good wrap-around with Philip Snyman scoring after more good work by Daniller made it 43-30 - and with only nine minutes remaining the Lions seemed out of the game and probably also the semi-finals.
However, Killian after a series of good rucks and Free State transgressions went over in the corner and Jantjies converted the try from touch to give his side a chance at 43-37 with less than four minutes to go.
But the leeway proved too much and the Cheetahs got the inside lane for the semi-finals that will most probably be denied the Lions – barring the shock of the season if the Cheetahs lose to the Leopards next weekend.
Scorers:
Free State Cheetahs: Try: Hennie Daniller, Ashley Johnson (2), Adriaan Strauss, WP Nel, Philip Snyman. Conversions: Louis Strydom (2). Penalties: Strydom (2), Bosman.
Xerox Lions: Try: Burton Francis, Josh Strauss, Edgar Marutlulle, Michael Killian. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4), Penalties: Jantjies (3) |
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Haven't won a cup in 11years but we can beet your team any day!!!!!
You all from management to the guy who sweeps the great howls of coca cola park can hold your heads up high!!!!
Thanx to the guys who bled it out on the field in the red and white!!! Real red blood!!! Non of that fake blue shit!!!
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