Lions hold out Edinburgh for fourth win a row

The first half was hard-fought, but the Johannesburgers made the most of their limited chances with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse scoring the only try of the half. The Scottish side were kept out by  a tenacious defensive effort, but did have a 6-5 lead due to a penalty goal and drop goal in the opening 40 minutes.

The home side scored their second try of the match in the second half compliments of man-of-the-match Vincent Tshituka (flank) and Hendrikse added a conversion and penalty goal, while Edinburgh’s only points were compliments of a penalty goal, which saw the Emirates Lions snatch the win.

Edinburgh earned the first points of the match with Henry Immelman (fullback) slotting over a well-timed drop goal in the 11th minute to hand the team a 3-0 lead, and they continued to show their intent as they got close to the tryline minutes later, but conceded a crucial penalty, which denied them the chance to add to their score.

Hendrikse had a shot at goal in the 21st minute, but his attempt went wide, while Edinburgh wing Emiliano Boffelli made the most of their chance to extend their score as he kicked a penalty goal in the 28th minute to double their lead.

Hendrikse scored the home side’s first try of the match a minute later from good break on the outside and good hands back in-field, which allowed him to dash through to the tryline with no defenders in sight, closing their deficit to one point.

Both teams managed to work their way close to the tryline in the dying minutes of the half, but they were held out by the effective defence.

Edinburgh showed their determination early in the second half with Blair Kinghorn (flyhalf) almost scoring a try six minutes after play resumed, but a knock-on in the build-up to the touchdown denied them.

The visitors lost flank Magnus Bradbury to a yellow card soon after and the home side took advantage of the extra man and showed some enterprise on attack soon after, but a handling error at a crucial time cost them.

They continued to show their fighting spirit, and this paid off with Tshituka crossing the chalk after some great handling and support play, which pushed them 12-6 ahead.

Boffelli reduced the gap on scoreboard with a penalty goal in the 63rd minute, but this was cancelled out soon after as Hendrikse bashed over a penalty goal of the game to restore their lead to six points.

Edinburgh fought until the end and managed to barge their way over the tryline in the 75th minute but the ball was held up by the hosts, and the Lions hung on with everything they had to seal the 15-9 win.

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