During the early stages of this game, all indications were that a big score was on the cards with the Lions on the receiving end. Courage, and structure however kept the Lions in the game.

The WP forwards were in control early on, and Juan de Jongh sniped sharply after an Earl Rose fumble, only for Tonderai Chavhanga to be stopped on the line.

WP set up camp in the Lions 22 and several pick and goes from the pack came close as the Lions defense around the fringes was severely stretched.

When Rose kicked the ball out 6 metres from his own tryline, WP mauled from the lineout and Watson was credited with the try as he simply had to place the ball behind his driving pack. Newlands was smiling, as solid forward play has not been seen from the men in hooped jerseys the past number of years.

Barely 10 minutes later a scathing tackle around the ankles by Peter Grant stopped van der Merwe from scoring. Now it was the Golden Lions’ turn to have a five-metre line-out and do their own bashing till they tried to go wide and Western Province were penalised at the tackle. 7-3 after 20 minutes.

An excellent break by Alwyn Hollenbach, and a few controlled phases led to Todd Clever feeding the irrepressible Jano Vermaak who raced for the WP line in typical fashion to touch down – 8-7 to the Golden Lions after 23 minutes.

De Jongh and Aplon displaying footwork that would make Michael Jackson look as stationary as Table Mountain,  looked particularly dangerous at this stage, and seemed to break the Golden Lions defense at will. The score board did not reflect what was happening on the field at this juncture.

In the period leading up to the halftime whistle, WP was bashing, mauling and driving at the Golden Lions try line, and only desperate and sometimes dubious measures kept them out. Anton van Zyl lost his patience with his former team mates, and exuberant rucking was rewarded with a yellow and a rest.

Half time score WP 18 Golden Lions 8

Anton van Zyl returned after half time, relieved that his indiscretion did not cost his team any points, and the WP forwards continued their set piece dominance. Over eagerness and loss of structured patience meant that the Golden Lions stayed in touch through 3 pointers in reply to Duane Vermeulen’s try following another  destructive scrum and driving maul .

Some may argue that a lack of strong leadership contributed to the loss of momentum, which allowed a gutsy Golden Loins to remain within striking distance with a very real chance of taking the game and an unlikely away victory.

This Golden Lions team may not have stars but one cannot fault their guts on Saturday’s performance. Guts alone will sadly not get them winning trophy’s anytime soon, and one can only wait and see if the work Jake White is doing will restore a once proud outfit to their rightful place amongst SA’s top teams.