Pirates Rugby Club delivers a pulsating Currie Cup encounter

Xerox Golden Lions and Eastern Province Kings played to a scintillating 35–all draw at the Pirates Rugby Club.

The game was part of the Golden Lions Rugby Union’s initiative of taking rugby back to grassroots level during this year’s Currie Cup campaign. Five clubs were granted the rights to host Currie Cup matches after a tender process.

In the game, the Kings were the first to break the deadlock in the eighth minute, courtesy of a penalty. The Lions soon replied with Bobby de Wee dotting down after a clever pass by JW Bell.

Kings soon hit back with a try of their own but the Lions were quick to respond with Ruaan Lerm going over to make it 14–10 to the Lions.

In the 35th minute, the Lions were penalised for not releasing the ball and Garrick Mattheus of the Kings made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

The Lions stepped up the tempo towards the half-time break and were rewarded with two penalties with fly-half Shaun Reynolds converting for the Lions to lead 20–13 at the break. The Lions increased their lead shortly after the break with a penalty from Reynolds, but the Kings hit back quickly with two tries and a penalty to level the scores at 23–23 after 56 minutes.

Ramone Samuels hit back for the Lions for an unconverted try in the 60th minute following some great work from the forwards, and Ricky Schroeder crossed over for a converted try to put the Lions in prime position as they led 35–23.

However, the Kings were not ready to give up without a fight and they bagged another converted try as the Lions defence was caught napping to make it 35–30 in the Lions’ favour.

And it was the Kings again in the dying seconds who went on the attack with JP Jonck going over in the corner. Fortunately for the Lions, young Garrick Mattheus missed the vital conversion with the scores level at 35–35.

Brad Guymer, chairman of Pirates Rugby Club was delighted with the day’s proceedings. “We are pretty chuffed with the way things have gone,” he said.

“It’s outstanding to have Currie Cup rugby here at Pirates.”

Guymer admitted that they expected a much bigger crowd, but the Lions Super Rugby team was playing on the same day and most supporters had gone there.

SCORERS:

Lions

Tries: Bobby de Wee, Ruaan Lerm, Ramone Samuels, Ricky Schroeder

Conversions: Shaun Reynolds (3)

Penalties: Reynolds (3).

EP Kings

Tries: Gregory Jackson, Andile Jho, JP Jonck, penalty try

Conversions: Garrick Mattheus (3)

Penalties: Garrick Mattheus (3).