South African team Lions continued their unbeaten streak. Facing the Welsh team Dragons, Lions emerged victorious with a score of 23-19. In the United Rugby Championship, only Glasgow Warriors share the unbeaten streak that Lions have achieved.
As the game progressed, Dragons lost their strength and, just like in their match against Sharks last week, failed to finish the game. After the match, Dragons’ coach stated, “I’m disappointed with the result but I’m probably more disappointed that the performance just didn’t look like us.
“We have tried to create an identity in the opening weeks but we didn’t have the same energy or tempo today.
“It was a very slow first half, with 12 scrums that just created a pushing game rather than a running game. We have to reflect on our inaccuracy and wastefulness.”
Lions’ coach responded, “We knew this would be a physical battle and it was very tough at the breakdown, so we’re pleased to come away with four points.
“We are having to find a way to win ugly and perhaps that was a game that we wouldn’t have won last season, but that shows how we are growing.”
Having defeated Ulster, Edinburgh, and Dragons, Lions will face Zebre next week. Their opponents have managed to secure only 1 win in 4 matches, which opens the door for Lions to lead the group.
United Rugby Championship
Dragons (12) 19 Tries: Keddie, Basham 2 Cons: Evans 2
Lions: (13) 23 Tries: Horn, Cairns Cons: Steyn, Nohamba Pens: Steyn 2, Nohamba
Dragons: Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser; Lloyd Evans, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Ben Carter (capt), Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie, Taine Basham.
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Cameron Jones, Chris Coleman, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Harry Wilson.
Lions: Quan Horn; Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill Van Der Merwe; Nico Steyn, Morne Van Den Berg; Juan Schoeman, Franco Marais, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Reinhard Nothnagel, Darrien Landsberg, JC Pretorius, Jarod Cairns, Francke Horn (capt).
Replacements: PJ Botha, Heiko Pohlmann, Conraad van Vuuren, Ruben Schoeman, Renzo du Plessis, Sanele Nohamba, Marius Louw, Henco van Wyk.
