Ruthless Lions clip hapless Black Eagles’ wings
Seven tries in scoring fest
APOWERFUL performance from the Ntlaza Lions forward pack laid the platform for their backs to shine as they stormed to an impressive 41-12 win over Black Eagles in their Border Super League clash at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane yesterday.
The match kicked off the fourth SuperSport Rugby Challenge festival of the year.
For the Lions the win was a big result as they, along with the Eagles, had both endured difficult seasons to date.
In the end it proved to be the Lions who wanted the win more as they dominated from start to finish to seal a full house of points.
The match kicked off with the Ntlaza outfit camped in the Eagles’ 22m and despite the Eagles initially holding out, the Lions finally broke through with inside centre Thabiso Hlangani going over for an unconverted score.
The Lions’ pack then showed their true strength in the 21st minute. After receiving a penalty deep in the Eagles’ 22m and chose to the scrum, and after a few resets, they powered the Eagles’ pack backwards, with the referee forced to award a penalty try, giving the Lions a 12-0 lead.
Against the run of play Eagles then fought their way back into the match as they were rewarded for their best spell of play in the Lions’ half. After taking the ball into the Lions’ 22m area, the ball was swung left from ruck to captain Luvuyo Magwaxaza who popped it inside to outside centre Aphelele Mbotyeni who burst through a tackle and went over to the left of the poles.
Flyhalf Siphamandla Madusa added the extras to make the score 12-7.
The Lions then hit straight back as a loose ball near the half way line was picked up by Hlangani, who proceeded to beat the first tackle attempt, hit a gap and sprinted away to dive over under the poles untouched for his second try. Fullback Sonwabiso Socikwa slotted the easy conversion for a 19-7 lead.
On the stroke of half-time the Eagles again brought themselves back into the game as a superb attack from their own half saw them get into the Lions’ 22m. Eighthman Bathandwa Dayimani then should have passed the ball to his outside but held on and was tackled short, but fullback Siyanda Makhaphela was following up and picked up at the ruck and ran over to score an unconverted try to make it 19-12 at the break.
The second half belonged to the Lions as they added four unanswered tries to power away. From the kick off Socikwa rounded off an impressive team move that went from one side of the field to the next for his second try, but was unable to convert.
Prop Thembelihle Moyake, flank Hlubi Mvana and eighthman Mandla Makhalima all added their names to the score sheet as the forwards got in on the scoring action, putting them 41-12 up by the end.
● Following the club match the first Provincial game of the day saw Griquas taking on the Sharks, with Griquas emerging deserved 38-34 winners in a tightly contested tussle.