By Ken Borland
JOHANNESBURG, July 7 (Reuters) – Flyhalf Elton Jantjies
succeeded with all seven of his kicks at goal to help the Lions
to a 37-32 win over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday for just
their third Super Rugby victory of the season.
They held on following a fantastic comeback by the Rebels
who scored three second-half tries to turn a 24-7 deficit into a
32-27 lead at Ellis Park.
But replacement flanker Jaco Kriel charged down the
blindside to score an equalising try, which Jantjies converted
from the touchline. He then kicked a penalty on the final hooter
to stretch the winning margin to five points.
The Lions played with enormous confidence and freedom in the
first half, running in three tries and Jantjies kicked a penalty
to give them a 24-0 lead after 36 minutes.
The home side made a great start when right wing Lionel
Mapoe stepped inside and sent outside centre Waylon Murray over
for the opening try after just two minutes.
Flanker Derick Minnie scored two more as the Rebels
struggled to get on the front foot against an aggressive defence
in the first half.
The Australians finally got some points on the board on the
half-time hooter when, after a rolling maul, hooker Ged Robinson
emerged with the try which was converted by fullback Julian
Huxley.
Having dominated the opening 40 minutes, the Lions lost
their focus in the second half, conceding a string of penalties
to give the Rebels momentum and territory.
Continued…
