Challenge Cup result: Brave Lions go down fighting against Glasgow Warriors

A brave Lions team threw everything they could at home favourites Glasgow Warriors but it wasn’t enough as they fell to an agonising 31-21 (halftime 14-0) loss in their Challenge Cup quarterfinal at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on Saturday night.

The defeat for the Lions means the end of South African participation in this year’s top European professional club rugby competitions, after both the Sharks and Stormers went down in their Champions Cup quarterfinals earlier in the day.

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The Lions can however hold their heads high after they pushed an international laden Glasgow side all the way, even winning the second half, but it was a scoreless first half that cost them in the end.

It was a strong first quarter from the hosts that set them up for the win as they took their two early chances, with both tries scored from lineout moves on the Lions 22m.

The first in the ninth minute saw the ball sent out quickly, with a superb running line from eighthman Jack Dempsey allowing him to receive the final pass and go over next to the uprights for the opening seven pointer.

Eight minutes later and in a similar position Glasgow secured the lineout and slung the ball wide, with the ball going through the hands to left wing Jamie Dobie to go over in the corner.

Flyhalf George Horne slotted his second conversion to put the hosts into a 14-0 lead after just 17 minutes.

The Lions improved in the second quarter but despite dominating the closing periods of the half, with the game running into eight minutes of overtime, a brilliant Glasgow defensive effort on their try line crucially kept the Lions out which proved the difference at the end of the day.

Fast start

The Lions got off to a fast start in the second half and after receiving a penalty in the Glasgow 22m, quick thinking scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba took a quick tap and managed to just get over for the score, with him converting his try to make it 14-7 after 43 minutes.

Glasgow however struck straight back as they capitalised on a Lions mistake at a lineout to get on the front foot before going through the phases and getting in close for prop Zander Fagerson to go over from close range, with Horne’s extras putting them 21-7 up after 49 minutes.

It was then the Lions turn to seize on a Glasgow mistake at a lineout as they picked up a loose ball to get into the home sides 22m, go through the phases before Francke Horne crashed over, with flyhalf Gianni Lombard adding the conversion to cut the deficit to seven points with 15 minutes left.

A penalty from the boot of Horne in the 68^th minute pushed Glasgow into a 10 point lead, but it was a converted try from replacement back Tom Jordan that sealed the win for the home side.

The Lions however wouldn’t give up and after getting close to the Glasgow line replacement hooker Morne Brandon forced his way over for a seven pointer with three minutes left and although the Lions tried their best to get in for another in the dying seconds they fell just short.

Scorers

Glasgow Warriors: Tries – Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Zander Fagerson, Tom Jordan; Conversions – George Horne (4); Penalty – Horne

Lions: Tries – Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horne, Morne Brandon; Conversions – Nohamba, Gianni Lombard (2)