URC result: Lions make it three in a row with win against Benetton

The Lions scored three late tries for 19 points to stun Benetton Rugby in their United Rugby Championship match in Treviso on Saturday.

The Lions won 32-28 after trailing 21-13 at the break and 28-13 with 18 minutes to go.

But late tries by Emmanuel Tshituka, who got two, and Rabz Maxwane, with Sanele Nohamba converting two of them, ensured the Lions picked up their third win on the trot in the competition.

Three in a row

Before a two week break before this weekend’s round 16 fixtures, the Lions also beat Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls.

The Lions were on the back foot for much of Saturday’s encounter, their leaky defence at times costing them dearly.

While Nohamba opened the scoring with an 18th minute penalty, Benetton scored tries by Joaquin Riera and Marcus Watson to take a 14-3 lead after 27 minutes.

The Lions hit back through Quan Horn, who finished off after his pack had made good metres and Ruan Venter was stopped short of the tryline, to close the gap, but Benetton ended the first half with all the momentum after Siua Maile’s try from a lineout drive.

Benetton go 28-13 up

Nohamba, like at the beginning of the game, opened the scoring in the second period with a penalty, but he was then sent to the sinbin for a deliberate knock-on.

And it got worse for the Lions when Henry Stowers went over for a converted try for the home team in the 59th minute to put Benetton 28-13 up. But the home team wouldn’t score again.

It then became the Lions show as they scored three tries in seven minutes between the 62nd and 69th minutes and shut out Benetton for the rest of the match to register a stunning victory.