Benetton fullback Rhyno Smith and Lions wing Kelly Mpeku compete for the ball during their EPCR Challenge Cup clash at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The Lions produced a disastrous final 15 minutes to fall to a poor 26-18 loss to Benetton in their opening EPCR Challenge Cup clash at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. It ended a three-game winning run for the Highveld side, since their last defeat, which was a heavy 41-15 URC loss against Benetton in Treviso in October, and the Italian side are nowthe Lions bogey team, having won their last five games against them.
However the Johannesburg side should have broken that losing run after looking in control as they led 18-11 with 15 minutes to play, only for a costly yellow card to see the visitors score 15 points while a man up, which led to the hosts ending up not taking a single point out of the match. At the start of play, it was Benetton who got off to a good start to as they ran in the first score within the opening five minutes. Flyhalf Jacob Umaga kicked a monster penalty ontothe Lions5m, with them setting the maul off the lineout, but were stopped, with the ball then going through the hands for fullback Rhyno Smith to dot down in the corner.
In the ninth minutethe Lionsgot on the board, flyhalf Chris Smith slotting a penalty, followed by Umaga knocking over one of his own three minutes later, which gave Benetton an 8-3 lead. The Lions had a chance to cut the deficit with a penalty in the 25thminute, but Smith missed with his shot at goal. However just before halftime the hosts hit the front, attacking from their own half, fullback Quan Horn sent a superb chip ahead, with the ball bouncing perfectly for Lions wing Kelly Mpeku to run in and score under the poles, to give them a 10-8 lead at the break.
Read Full Article on The Citizen
[paywall]
The Lions continued their improved play at the start of the second half, punishing a mistake from Benetton after they threw a skew lineout in their own 22m, with the hosts then receiving a penalty, choosing to scrum, attacking and eventually flank Ruan Venter powered over to move them 15-8 up. In the 54thminute Umaga saw his penalty attempt come back off the post, allowing the Lions to go further ahead as Smith also hit the post with a penalty, but it dropped over to give them an 18-8 lead after 56 minutes. Replacement back Tomas Albornoz however brought Benetton back within seven with a successful penalty in the 59thminute.
[/paywall]
