The Xerox Lions beat the Boland Cavaliers in a potentially tricky Absa Currie Cup away fixture at Boland Stadium in Wellington on Friday night, winning the match 19-13.

Boland have proven to be a thorn in the side of a few teams over the years and this match was no different for the visitors who were made to work hard for the win – their third in the tournament which lifts them above the Blue Bulls on the log table.   

Captain Cobus Grobbelaar gave a follow-my-lead performance as he played a critical role in his team’s victory with outstanding play on the ground, while scrumhalf Jano Vermaak – surely pushing hard for inclusion at a higher level – returned to his team following missing out last week’s match against Griquas and again proved his value and worth to the Xerox Lions.
The wet field was always going to minimise either side’s efforts on attack, hence the lack of tries – one apiece – and a number of penalties to add to the scoring.
Boland got off to the best start with a brace of penalties to take an early six-nil lead, only for the Xerox Lions to overhaul that lead with a try to Henno Mentz in the corner.  Earl Rose’s touchline conversion took his team into the lead, albeit a narrow one-point margin, and that was how the first half ended, the Xerox Lions leading 7-6 at the break.
The visitors were first to score in the second half through an Earl Rose penalty, but matters were turned on their head as referee Jaco Peyper awarded the home side a penalty try which fullback Justin Peach converted to give his team a 13-10 lead.
However, that would be the last time the home side were in front, and three further penalties by Earl Rose saw his side manage to emerge victorious.
 

Scorers:
Xerox Lions: 19 (7) 
Try: Henno Mentz
Conversion: Earl Rose.
Penalties: Earl Rose (4).
Boland Cavaliers: 13 (6)
Try: Penalty Try
Conversion: Justin Peach
Penalties: Peach (2)