Lions dismantle lacklustre Welwitschias

THE Xerox Golden Lions thrashed the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias 112-14 in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Alberton Rugby Club on Saturday, after leading 49-0 at halftime.

The win sees the Lions move to 10 log points following last week’s 40-29 away win at the Pumas while the Welwitschias are winless after three matches with losses against the Valke and Blue Bulls. The men from Johannesburg ran in five tries in the opening quarter of the match with Shaun Reynolds kicking seven conversions, and also dotting down for a five-pointer. Replacement back Siya Masuku added five conversions as well.

The home side outscored the Welwitschias by 15 tries to two. Tries for the Lions came via a brilliant hat-trick from replacement wing Hacjivah Dayimani, two tries each from loose forward James Venter, lock JP du Preez and Jarryd Sage.

Madosh Tambwe, Reynolds, Victor Sekekete, Selom Gavor, Ashlon Davids and Gerdus van der Walt each scored a try apiece. This is the second week that the pivot has not only been accurate off the tee, but also got his name on the try-scoring sheet again.

A rather lacklustre defensive effort from the Namibian side saw the Lions capitalise on the huge gaps left by the visitors. Reynolds’ form with the boot inspired the Lions backs to run with ease and ensure that possession was converted to points.

The home side drew first blood in the opening minute courtesy of Tambwe’s try, Reynolds adding the extras from the tee. Sage and Venter’s first try came in the eighth and 13th minute respectively. Reynolds converting both tries with ease, 21-0. It was one-way traffic from that point onward, as that laid a solid platform for the Lions to dot down four more times in the opening stanza.

With the damage already done in the first half, the Lions seemed to have eased their foot off the gas in the second half, with a host of replacements making their appearances. Replacement speedster Gavor and Dayimani got on the score sheet as the final quarter approached. But it seemed like a repeat of the opening half with tries from Gavor, Dayimani, Kim and Davids within the space of 15 minutes.

The Welwitschias finally got on the scoreboard with a 61st minute try from Lesley Kim, and Theuns Kotze added the extras, 70-7.

Diyamini dotted down for his second try, cancelling out their opponent’s try, Masuku added the extras, taking the score to 77-7. Tries from Davids, du Preez, Van der Walt and Sage’s second try saw the Lions put 100 points on the scoreboard.

The final result in Alberton was 112-14, as the Lions demolished the Welwitschias in their second SuperSport Rugby Challenge match. – supersport.com

SCORERS:

Lions: Tries: Hacjivah Dayimani (3), Jarryd Sage (2), James Venter (2), JP du Preez (2), Madosh Tambwe, Shaun Reynolds, Victor Sekekete, Selom Gavor, Ashlon Davids, Gerdus van der Walt. Cons: Reynolds (7), Masuku (5), Gavor

Welwitschias: Tries: Lesley Kim (2) Cons: Theuns Kotze (2)