Lions send Chiefs packing

2008-05-10 19:05

Johannesburg - The Lions celebrated their return to Ellis Park by beating the Chiefs 33-27 in their Super 14 match played in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

A hugely impressive Lions pack, with Joe van Niekerk and Willem Alberts outstanding with ball in the hand, on Saturday all but ended the Chiefs challenge for a Super 14 semi-final spot when they won the match at Ellis Park 33-27 after leading 17-13 at the break.

And behind the pack an unlikely Man of the Match Chris Jonck made the right decisions, scored a try and led the assault with clever breaks after filling in for first-choice scrumhalf Jano Vermaak who had to withdraw because of flu.

It was one of those days for the Chiefs. They were just not allowed to get into the game by an aggressive Lions pack who were also quicker to the breakdown with captain Cobus Grobbelaar again outstanding on the ground.

But the man to be singled out, despite his few opportunities, was returning Springbok centre Jaque Fourie. He had two chances and created two gaps - and one led to the try that ultimately put the Chiefs on the rack.

Earl Rose, who like opposite number Stephen Donald , put over all his kicks at the posts, had a good match after last weekend's shocker and set up the one try after he had started stepping in his own half.

Long run

He was good under the high ball and his returning kicks were spot-on to keep the pressure on a below-par Chiefs side, who are now all but out of the Super 14 title race.

The first try, by Jonck, was set up after a long run by the huge Alberts who slipped a deft pass to the scrumhalf.

The Lions were full value for their 10-0 after the first quarter, but were shortly thereafter 13-10 behind when the Chiefs took control for the only spell in the match through a try to hooker Aled de Melmanche with the rest of the points coming from Donald.

A great try just before the break by the Lions, with Alberts scoring, put the home side deservedly in the lead at 17-13, and when they stretched it to 27-13 after 54 minutes, the Chiefs were in trouble.

A legitimate try by Lelia Masaga after 62 minutes was cancelled because of a foul by prop Ben May who was red-carded for stamping on an opponent's face, and the match seemed to be won.

Rose added two more penalties, with Grobbelaar opting for the points rather than a fourth bonus point try - and that was ultimately the right decision as the Chiefs ran in two consolation tries in the last two minutes to make it a more flattering defeat.

Scorers:

Lions (17) 33: Tries by Chris Jonck (9 min), Willem Alberts (38 min), Cobus Grobbelaar (54 min). Earl Rose kicked three conversions and four penalties.

Chiefs (13) 27: Tries by Aled de Malmanche (30 min), Lelia Masaga (79 min), Mils Muliaina (80.49 min). Stephen Donald kicked three conversions and two penalties.

- SuperSport