URC result: Lions overpower Sharks for bonus point win

Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg dives over to score a try during their URC derby against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images The Lions produced the perfect response to their heavy United Rugby Championship (URC) loss against the Bulls three weeks ago, as they overpowered the Sharks 34-22, picking up a deserved bonus point win at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks were missing most of their Springboks, who are observing Bok resting protocols, and they briefly threatened during a strong spell in the first half, but once the Lions took a comfortable lead into the halftime break, they never looked back.

A full house of points moves them up into the URC top eight, to seventh on the log, four points ahead of the Bulls, who have a game in hand on them. It was a good start to the match for the Lions, and they were rewarded for their positive start with a penalty from range which flyhalf Chris Smith slotted for a third minute lead. The hosts then should have scored first, after a 50-22 from inside centre Bronson Mills earned them a lineout in the Sharks 22m, but after getting close off it lock Darrien Landsberg knocked on with the try line at his mercy.

That allowed the Sharks to work their way into the match, and they took the lead in the 14thminute after kicking a penalty to the corner, securing the lineout and rumbling over a maul for hooker Fez Mbatha to dot down, converted by flyhalf Siya Masuku to put them 7-3 up. That became 7-6 after Smith slotted an 18thminute penalty, but the visitors were on top at this stage, until a line break from the Lions in the 28thminute, saw Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse yellow carded after a cynical foul at the ruck on their 22m. That completely turned the tide as the Lions ran in a quick double with him off the field, starting by kicking to the corner from the penalty, secured the lineout, set the maul and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye powered through the middle and over to score.

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Straight from the kick-off the Lions attacked into the Sharks half, where scrumhalf Morne van den Berg caught everyone out with a clever chip over the defence, which was brilliantly chased by wing Kelly Mpeku, who popped the ball to Van Den Berg following up in support to run over and score. Smith knocked over both conversions to put them 20-7 up after 33 minutes, only for the Lions to suffer a blow on the halftime hooter when Mills was yellow carded for a high hit, and Masuku kicked the penalty from in front to make it 20-10 at the break. Despite being a man down the Lions got off to a great start in the second half, taking play into the Sharks 22m where they earned a penalty.

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