Lions and Dragons share spoils in thriller

Published on

Jordan Hendrikse was unable to slot an overtime, 56-metre penalty and the Lions had to settle for a draw on Challenge Cup debut against a spirited Dragons outfit in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

Making their bow in the tournament, the Lions were out to secure a winning start for the South African sides but a relentless Dragons effort ensured there was nothing to separate the teams as the tie finished 31-31.

The draw secures three points for the Lions as the focus now shifts to their next game against Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup before returning to Vodacom United Rugby Championship duty against the Sharks in Durban.

An early penalty from the Lions’ Gianni Lombard was quickly nullified through the boot of Dragons flyhalf Sam Davies, kicking a penalty and converting fullback Jordan Williams’ try to hand the visitors a 10-3 lead.

A converted try from Lombard did not keep the scores level for long as Dragons scrumhalf Rhodri Williams went over for the score, re-establishing the visitors’ lead.

Lions replacement prop, Asenathi Ntlabakanye replied emphatically when he crashed over for the hosts, but in a first half of flyhalves, Davies produced a self-converted try to hand the visitors a 24-17 lead going into the break.

Replacing Lombard at halftime, Hendrikse had an immediate impact as his deft grubber was gathered by winger Edwill van der Merwe who darted over for the try before Hendrikse added the extras to bring the hosts back level.

Rolling back the years, Lions flanker Jaco Kriel tore through Dragons defenders before offloading to an eager Van der Merwe who scored his second with Hendrikse slotting the conversion, handing the hosts the lead for the first time since Lombard’s opening penalty.

But the visitors weren’t finished yet as Dragons’ centre Jack Dixon’s try and Davies’ conversion made it 31-31.

A 65th-minute yellow card to Lions replacement prop JP Smith, for a trip on an opposition player, opened the door for relentless Dragons pressure, but solid defence from the hosts kept the visitors at bay as the Lions returned to full complement without conceding.

Hendrikse had the chance to snatch victory for the hosts when the Lions were awarded a penalty inside their own half with the siren sounding in the background, but failed to convert as the Dragons kicked the ball into touch for a 31-31 draw.

Photo: Twitter/@LionsRugbyCo

Post by

Rienk De Beer