A Late Try by Brandon Rescues the Lions' Hard-Fought Victory | SuperSport
In a thrilling match at Ellis Park on Saturday, the Lions secured a hard-earned 42-33 victory over Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The game was a tense affair, with the Lions dominating possession but facing constant pressure from the French side. Despite their efforts, the Lions found themselves trailing by two points with just a few minutes left to play.
But then, in a dramatic twist, Morne Brandon stepped up as the 'supersub' and scored a crucial try, securing the win for the Lions. This victory marks the team's first of the season in the #ChallengeCupRugby, a significant step forward in their campaign.
The match began with a strong performance from South African under-20 star Batho Hlekani, who was named Man of the Match. Hlekani's opening try, set up by a backhanded pass from Morne van den Berg, showcased his talent and set the tone for the Lions' performance.
However, Lyon responded with tries from Charly Mignot and Alexandre Tchaptchet, keeping the score close. The French side's long-range try by Esteban Gonzalez further narrowed the gap in the second half, but the Lions quickly regained control with Angelo Davids' try, latching onto an overhead chip from Van den Berg.
Lyon's comeback continued with tries by Hooker Mathis Sarragallet and Alfred Parisien, making it a two-point game. The tension was palpable as the Lions held on for dear life, with Brandon's try in the final moments sealing their fate.
The final whistle brought a collective sigh of relief and joy at Ellis Park, as the Lions celebrated their hard-fought victory. Brandon's try was the perfect end to a grueling match, and the team's resilience and determination were on full display.
Scorers:
Lions: tries by Batho Hlekani, Richard Kriel, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis, Angelo Davids, Morne Brandon. Conversions by Chris Smith (6)
Lyon: tries by Charly Mignot, Alexandre Tchaptchet, Esteban Gonzalez, Mathis Sarragallet, Alfred Parisien. Conversions by Paddy Jackson (4)
