EP KINGS U19 TAME THE LIONS

Aug 8 • General News • 1533 Views • Comments Off on EP KINGS U19 TAME THE LIONS

THE EP Kings U19 team produced a scintillating final 20 minutes to transform a 19-6 deficit into a 28-19 victory over the Golden Lions to keep intact their unbeaten record in this year’s Absa U19 provincial competition at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (August 8).
Through the accurate boot of centre Hendrik Mulder and an intercept try by burly No 8 McMillan Muller, the Lions looked in a good position in the 48th minute when they stretched their 12-3 halftime lead to 19-6.
However, the Kings had plenty of fight left in them and a swarming attack saw big lock Lusanda Badiyana take the final pass to burst over near the posts, reducing the margin to 19-13.
This try sparked the Kings into action and they began to dominate the match, with their hard running and accurate kicks keeping the Lions under constant pressure.
Some excellent handling saw them score their second try when centre Yamkela Nyalambisa shot over in the left corner and although flyhalf Michael Brink fluffed the conversion, he made amends with a penalty in the 62nd minute to put his team 21-19 ahead.
The Lions, though, were not done. They fought their way into EP’s 22-metre area, mounting a series of threatening attacks before a knock-on with just minutes remaining let the Kings off the hook.
They nearly bungled the opportunity with a poor clearance from the scrum, only for the ball to bounce kindly for EP wing Athi Mayinje, who needed no encouragement to put his ears back as he sprinted 70 metres for a thrilling, if somewhat fortuitous, try.
Brink added the conversion and with a minute remaining, and a nine-point lead, the Kings had consolidated their top position on the log.
The point scorers were:
EP Kings 28: tries by Lusanda Badiyana, Yamkela Nyalambisa, Athi Mayinje; three penalties and two conversions by Michael Brink.
Golden Lions 19: a try by McMillan Muller; four penalties and a conversion by Hendrik Mulder.