Golden Lions down W.Province in Currie Cup

The Lions’ hunt for a spot in the Currie Cup semifinals gained some much-needed momentum when they demolished Western Province 58-32 at Ellis Park on Friday

The Lions, who led 37-13 at the break, scored eight tries to four to move up to fourth place in the standings. Province, however, are going to struggle to make the playoffs after they suffered their third defeat of the campaign and are currently outside the top four.

The Lions made their attentions clear from the kick off when they caught WP napping and scored the first try of the match in the 34th second. The Lions moved the ball wide from their own 22, and after some great running and offloading centre Jacques Nel dotted down.

WP hit back with two penalties by flyhalf Robert du Preez to take a 6-5 lead in the 11th minute. But that would be the last time the Cape side would find themselves in front, as the Lions came storming back with a try each by hooker Robbie Coetzee and fullback Andries Coetzee.

Province left wing Leolin Zas came up with an important score for Province in the 33rd minute with a deft kick and collect to keep the visitors in the came. However, the Lions scored two more tries before halftime via JP du Preez and Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

The WP defence was hopeless all night, and they were especially poor when Anthony Volmink ran from his own 22 to score a rather easy try to give the men from Gauteng a 42-13 lead.

Flank Kwagga Smith then extended the Lions’ lead in the 57th minute with the first of his two tries in the last quarter of the match.

The Province finally scored again in the 63rd minute. After a few phases and holding on to possession, flank Jacques Vermeulen dotted down for the first of his two tries, which came before Smith’s second for the lions and WP scrumhalf Dewald Duvenhage’s effort late in the match.

Final Score Golden Lions 58 Western Province 32

Scorers

Golden Lions
Tries: Kwagga Smith (2), Jacques Nel, Robbie Coetzee, Andries Coetzee, JP du Preez, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Anthony Volmink.
Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (6)
Penalties: Van der Walt (2).

Western Province
Tries: Jacques Vermeulen (2), Leolin Zas, Dewaldt Duvenage.
Conversions: Robert du Preez (3).
Penalties: Du Preez (2).