Match Details
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33 |
Kick off times:
5:05pm
(Local) Sat 10 May
1:05am
(AEST) Sun 11 May
|
27 |
|
The Lions caused a huge upset in the Super 14 on Saturday as they dealt a 33-27 blow to the Chiefs' hopes of reaching the play-offs.
The hosts had won just once this campaign heading into the match, but managed to restore some pride with an unexpected victory.
Two late tries earned the Chiefs a vital bonus point though which could come prove useful in next weekend's final round to determine the semi-final line-up.
The Lions started well with an early penalty by Earl Rose before Willem Alberts picked up from the base of the scrum and sent scrum-half Chris Jonck through a perfect gap to put his side 10-0 up after only nine minutes.
The Chiefs recovered from the blow, and after a Stephen Donald penalty got them onto the board, they managed their first try after an excellent maul close to the line for Aled de Malmanche to crash over.
Donald levelled the scores with the conversion and then put his side in front for the only time in the match with another penalty, but the joy was short lived as Alberts grabbed his second try.
The move was started by a chip and collect by Rose, who sent the ball to a steaming Joe van Niekerk down the touchline.
Van Niekerk's ball was recycled and sent wide, where Alberts was on the end of a good movement to score in the corner.
Rose added another penalty before the Lions managed to find an overlap and loose forward Cobus Grobbelaar was on the end to score and put them 27-13 up.
The Chiefs' misery was compounded as they scored a try, but it was disallowed after a touch judge report that Ben May had deliberately used a boot on Van Niekerk's head.
Referee Stuart Dickinson had no option but to red card the player.
Earl Rose slotted another penalty to put his side 30-13 up and the Lions took their foot off the gas, allowing two late tries in the last two minutes through Lelia Masaga and Mils Muliana to give the Chiefs a bonus point.
Lions 33:
Tries: Jonck, Alberts, Grobbelaar
Cons: Rose 3
Pens: Rose 4
Chiefs 27:
Tries: de Malmanche, Masaga, Muliaina
Cons: Donald 3
Pens: Donald 2
