Lions sneak it in the end against Rebels
Elton Jantjies (Photo Bruce Taylor / Rugby15)
The MTN Lions rallied back late in the second half to beat the Rebels 37-32 at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
The Lions started off with a flash and quickly scored two tries in the first ten minutes. Waylon Murray was first to cross over as the Lions spread the ball wide at every opportunity. Derick Minnie also crashed over after he received a ball on the wing.
Minnie was over a few minutes later for his second of the night when he scored in the other corner. Elton Jantjies converted two of the three tries before slotting a penalty conversion to take the Lions into a 24-0 lead halfway through the first half.
The Rebel managed to recover quickly and soon started to dominate territory and possession with the penalty count also going their way. The Rebels kept kicking for touch and the Lions defended well right until the half time hooter when hooker Ged Robinson scored from yet another rolling maul. Julian Huxley slotted the conversion and the Lions headed in to the change rooms with a 24-7 lead.
The Rebels started the second half much the same and were soon rewarded with two quick tries by Hugh Pyle to reduce the score to 24-19. The Lions then got caught on the wrong side of the law and Huxley wasted no time in slotting a penalty to reduce the gap even further.
Jantjies responded with a penalty of his own before one of his clearance kicks was charged down by Rebels flyhalf James Hilgendorf and it was dotted down. The TMO was called in to see if he grounded if legitimately and it was awarded moments later with most fans not agreeing at all. Huxley converted the try and the Rebels took the lead for the first time in the match. Huxley added another penalty shortly after and the Lions were left to chase the game.
Jaco Kriel became the hero of the night when he broke from the side of a maul and crashed over in the corner with the TMO awarding the try after reviewing footage. Jantjies kept his cool and slotted a beautiful conversion from the touch to regain the lead.
The Lions defended for all they were worth and received a penalty right on the hooter to finish a tense final home match. They head to Loftus next week to take on a hungry Bulls side.
Derick Minnie over for his second try (Photo Bruce Taylor / Rugby15)
Scorers:
MTN LIONS: 37 (24)
Tries: Waylon Murray, Derick Minnie (2), Jaco Kriel
Conversions: Elton Jantjies 4
Penalties: Elton Jantjies 3
REBELS: 32 (7)
Tries: Ged Robinson, Hugh Pyle 2, James Hilgendorf
Conversions: Julian Huxley 3
Penalties: Julian Huxley 2
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