The Lions hosted the WP in the last match in the play-off rounds for the Currie Cup of 2009. The Lions won a very hard fought match, 27 / 25.
We knew the Lions were on an upwards curve, we knew the Lions pushed the Sharks close last week, yet most of us, me included, doubted wheter they could beat the high-trotting WP Team.
… well, it happened !
WP came out firing and scored an early try through Juan de Jongh after Andries Bekker went one one of his bullocking runs from the centre-position. WP were leading 7 / 0 with just over a minute played.
Herkie Kruger pulled the score back to 7 / 3 with a penalty and the sure-kicking Joe Petersen followed that with a penaly of his own, making the score 10 / 3.
The Lions fought hard and only had bad turn-overs to blame for trailing.
Before Half Time, WP scored again through a Joe Petersen try after yet another storming run by Andries Bekker.
The gutsy Lions heaved back with 2 tries from Doppies Le Grange.
At Half Time the score was WP 20 / Lions 17.
After Half Time the Lions were first to strike with a try by Dusty Noble and suddenly they were in the lead and WP was playing catch-up.
WP scored their 3rd try by Francois Louw and re-took the lead, the score now WP 25 / Lions 24.
The Lions, at this stage a well-oiled machine, earned a penalty and Chris Jonck calmly slotted it, reversing the lead once again. Lions 27 / WP 25.
WP threw everything at the Lions, including the proverbial kitchen sink, the Lions calmly absorbing the pressure.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, WP won a scrum in the Lions 22m area but resolute defence ensured that the Lions bundled WP out on the right-hand touch line.
The game was over!
Points:
Lions: 1 Penalty & 3 Conversions Herkie Kruger, 1 Penalty Chris Jonck, 2 Tries Doppies le Grange, 1 Try Dusty Noble
WP: 2 Conversion2 & 2 Penalties Joe Petersen, 1 Try Juan de Jongh, 1 Try Joe Petersen, 1 Try Francois Louw
Teams:
Golden Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jannie Boshoff, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Torrie Meyer, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Ruan Boshoff, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.
Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Frikkie Welsh, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 JC Kritzinger, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Gio Aplon
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Madel Herselman
TMO: Michael Cupido
Leeuwens moet NOU 7 punte kry, of daar is kuk….
@Loosehead – 50
What is happening with Juan Smith? Is he still injured? Hope he is ready for the semi.
Lions slowly but surely building some momentum.
@Puma – Think he’s out for the CC
@K9-MonsterLeeu – 60
This season Lions have not given away 4 tries so hoping they just focuse now and keep it tighter. Allowing Province to attack too much here.
Eishhhhhhh, amperse drie vir Lions
Both these teams would klap the Tjarks.
Leeus skrum daai wp moertoe.
Mooosa skrum deur die Leeus!
62@Puma – Out for the year I think.
TRYYYY!!!!! Moes kom!!
Tryyyyyyyy Doppies
Heeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaa
Try Lions!
TRY LIONS……………….YES. Go lions. Keep this up now.
Daasit NOU!!!!
@grootblousmile – 😎
@Loosehead – 70
Big loss to Cheetahs that.
WP 17 / 10
@Puma –
Lions must just stay within reach til the last 20 minutes…..and then spread it!
Kom nou Leeus!!! Skrum daai WP weer moer toe!!
Lekker Ed, score jou tjom Doppies!
Lions have bitten Francois Louw.
76@K9-MonsterLeeu – Nou skuld jy my….. hehehehe
@Loosehead – What would u expect…its a lion!!
@Puma – It sure is.
@K9-MonsterLeeu – Where is the blerrie blood then?
I have been watching NH rugby in between earlier, cannot compare to this.
@Pietman – 79
Thats what they should do Piet but lets see. WP may tire later with the altitude.
Lions never gave up last week think this week they ware playing for pride here. So far they have not given away the 5 points.
WP 20 / 10
@Puma – meant are not ware..haha.
@Pietman – 86
Nothing up there can compare to our domestic rugby. I think actually not even domestic rugby in NZ can compare to the CC here. It has to be the best domestic comp on the world. Very, very tough and brilliant to watch once we have full strength teams playing.
We are really blessed to have such great rugby right here at home also in the best weather too :-))
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