Lions lose battle, win war

Lions lose battle, win war

4 Oct 2008

WP managed a 14-6 victory at Newlands but a stubborn effort by the visitors ensured Loffie Eloff’s charges a place in the semi-finals.

Province required four tries and a 19-point winning margin to book their place in the play-offs, but failed on both counts. The Lions will meet the Sharks in Durban next Saturday, while the Cheetahs will travel up to Pretoria to take on the Blue Bulls.

The amount at stake in this fixture was reflected in the attitude of the players. The first half was typified by off-the-ball scuffles, and the visitors, to their credit, never took a step back. But overall, the Lions employed a negative brand, and fortunately for Province, referee Craig Joubert penalised their spoiling at the breakdown.

Earl Rose was also content to sit back in the pocket, and WP had no answer to this high-ball strategy. It was only at the stroke of half-time when Luke Watson scored from the back of a driving maul. It was a bright end to a disappointing half of rugby, but WP’s four-try goal was, at this point, still attainable.

This was the rare occasion where the WP lineout managed to lay the platform. Schalk Brits was far from accurate, and Province also missed the sure hands of Adriaan Fondse at the front of the set piece. WP a blew a number of opportunities through poor handling, and the pressure of the situation told time and again. Ricky Januarie dropped the ball with line at his mercy early in the first half, an unforgivable mistake by a Test player.

Watson’s try sent the hosts into the change room with a 7-0 lead, but WP proceeded to spurn chances in the second half. It appeared as if there was no clear-cut game plan, and WP seemed to be hoping for individual brilliance to initiate the breakthrough. There was no inclination to build through the phases, and the Lions defence was all to happy to shift the attacking players into touch.

Based on their approach to this game, the Lions deserve their place in the semi-final. They were penalised heavily at the breakdown, but their ability to frustrate WP at the tackle point and curb their momentum out wide was all to easy. They did the necessary, and Province showed an inability to adapt.

Lions replacement Louis Strydom provided WP with a glimmer of hope when he handed Jean de Villiers a gift of an interception. The Bok No 12 ran 80m to score, and Joe Pietersen drop-kicked the conversion to add the extras. With 15 minutes play, WP still had a sniff.

WP had another golden opportunity in the 72nd minute when they inched ever closer to the Lions line. But the predictable handling error occurred and it was the Super 14 final league game all over again. The Cape side had left too much to do with minimal time remaining.

Rose goaled a penalty at the beginning of the second half, and nailed another in the 77nd minute to make WP’s task an impossible one. Even if Province ran in two converted tries in as many minutes, they would have come short on the log standings.

The result marks the second consecutive year where WP have failed to make the play-offs. The coaches may blame the loss of numerous Boks at the start of the season, but they’ll look back at losses to Griquas and the Valke as unforgivable contributions to their ultimate downfall.

WP – Tries: Luke Watson, Jean de Villiers. Conversions: Peter Grant, Joe Pietersen.
Lions – Penalties: Earl Rose (2).

By Jon Cardinelli


797 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 [16] Show All

  • 751.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:29 pm

    #742 blhoo: Afganistan, op die oomblik

  • 752.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:29 pm

    #740 grootblousmile:
    Sallaam alkikoom ou gam, sien jou later.
    Ek gaan ook eers waai.

  • 753.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:30 pm

    #742 blhoo:

    Ons het nou wel nie ‘n GPS hier op keo nie, maar wel ‘n GBS. Miskien kan hy help met daai koordinate.

  • 754.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:30 pm

    #751 Pietman: Masa lama ashoofak bukra?

  • 755.blueboy: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:31 pm

    How the ONCE mighty wpiels have fallen,they are not even back door specialists any more as the lions shut the door on them.Daar`s a lekker gemors in die kaap `n lang maag dit anthou.Ek ken nie wat wp is wpiels of
    wpussies of altesame,daai meises moet netbal spiel as daai kan nie rugby spiel nie,maar moenie worrie nie daar is volgende jaar,`n volgende jaar `n volgende jaar.To all you wp fans out there if there is any left look on the bright side you have the previously disadvantaged flook watson and plenty of other DUDS to watch next year you must be looking forward to next season.POCH MOHONE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHA.MY BLOED IS BLOU.

  • 756.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:32 pm

    #753 crowbar:
    Yes, masa lama, joune ook ou pella !
    See you later crowbar.

  • 757.Supa Die Bloubul: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:33 pm

    #748 wooden spoon:

    Go Heyneke en Hougaardt!

  • 758.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:33 pm

    #749 Sheriff: Ek het lus om ‘n vars botteltjie Jerrekie-pik-my (Jerepico) oop te breek en rustig te suie aan ‘n knertsie of 2 daarvan…….. cheers

    #751 Pietman: Hehehe, tjorts ou Pieta, my ou gommie !

  • 759.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:33 pm

    What about Cantonese – that seems like a ****** to understand…

  • 760.Croc: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:33 pm

    #727 Sheriff: No point trying to annoy us English folk with comments like that – we’re pretty thick-skinned.

  • 761.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:33 pm

    #744 Pietman:

    Ag ou Pieter, moenie moan nie jou’t jy kaas en jou polony. Doop jou wors in die mostertsous.

    Pieter, jy is net soos bedonnerd soos ek oor jou (en my span). Moenie nou aan slaat raak nie, more moet jy weer derduisende rande se skade betaal, haha.

  • 762.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:34 pm

    #756 Supa Die Bloubul: It’s nice to have a SA connection – I’ve been a Tigers fan for a couple of years now.

  • 763.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:34 pm

    #751 Pietman: wa alaykum salaam

  • 764.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:35 pm

    #752 Sheriff: ‘n GBS is ‘n “Global Bliksemming System” nie ‘n “Global Positioning System” nie !

    Hehehehe

  • 765.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:36 pm

    #750 crowbar: Thanks, gedink so iets.

    Volg nogal Michael Yon se “dispatches”. Lyk my dit gaan rof maar julle wen.

    Sy style is sonder sensasie en hy vertel ‘n ding soos wat dit is.

    Manne kan gerus gaan kyk. Ure besig hou. Sy nuutste is juis oor die Afgan Compounds.

    Maar jy sal weet, seker baie anders as die ou Caspir dae.

  • 766.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:36 pm

    #760 Sheriff:
    Praat jy!
    Nee wat, ons was kuk en klaar, geen klagtes.
    **** hier, ek gaan nou eers loop, dis ounag hier, ek het nou genoeg sonde gedoen vir een dag, reg rondom die wereld geraas en skel.
    Sien jou partner.
    Cheers.

  • 767.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:36 pm

    #759 Croc: Just dont say Japanese is a **** language, Sun Wukong, will be offended

  • 768.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:37 pm

    #762 saru1983:
    Ja, jou salami ook.

  • 769.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:37 pm

    #759 Croc:

    Yeah thick-skined croc, I hear you.

    But the comment must have touched your heart in some way, otherwise you would not have responded, hahaha

  • 770.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:39 pm

    #763 grootblousmile:

    Bliksem hom in position in, hahaha

  • 771.Supa Die Bloubul: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:40 pm

    #761 wooden spoon:

    I support all SA players overseas..even the WP ones…hehe

    But with Heyneke at Leicester I am shouting for them. Grant or someone came here last and said he was so glad Heyneke’s team lost because he is from the Bulls…pathetic.

  • 772.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:41 pm

    Nag Pietman.

  • 773.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:42 pm

    #765 Pietman:

    Lekker slaap Pieta!

    Ons sal nog vanaand sleg slaap, maar die pyn en lyding is dan vir eers verby.

    Onthou, volgende naweek kan ons terugsit en kyk hoe die verloorders tjank. Elke donker wolk (moet mos eintlik ‘n blou en wit streep hê) het ‘n silwer randjie. Ek dagboek nou al vir volgende Saterdag aand se gesanik.

  • 774.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:44 pm

    #771 blhoo:
    Sien jou 8SAI-er!
    #772 Sheriff:
    Lekker slaap sersant.

  • 775.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:46 pm

    #764 blhoo: Wat is ‘n Caspir?, Yip heelwat anders en ons word ook nie jonger nie. (ook nie vinniger nie!) Om die compounds te verstaan moet jy die kultuur verstaan nie te maklik nie

  • 776.Supa Die Bloubul: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:46 pm

    #773 Pietman:

    Hoe laat is dit nou daar?

    Lekker slaap Pietapedia…

  • 777.Croc: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:46 pm

    #768 Sheriff: Nothing can touch my heart – it’s made of stone…

  • 778.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:48 pm

    #775 Croc: Until your cholesterol catches up. :)

  • 779.ka klong: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:48 pm

    dit bewonder my nog steeds dat daar n paar grootkoppe wat hier rond skuif wie dink hulle die erf eintlik bemeester, dit sal n slag interesant nog wees as die beoordelaars hierop die klomp bandwagoners bietjie laat straf vir ‘n slag, vir al dat hulle so dik van hulle selfsigtige opinies hou en omdat hulle nog dink dat hulle soos die room van die mensheid is en die ander is skuim

  • 780.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:50 pm

    #775 Supa Die Bloubul: Sondag oggend 00:48

  • 781.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:52 pm

    #774 Supa Die Bloubul:
    4:48 vm, ek moet hol, het 10vm kerk, kan jou glo!
    Hel, die tyd loop vinnig hier op keo as man se span verloor en jy jou sorge probeer wegdrink.
    Mooi loop Supa, ek MOET nou maak soos Rokkof…

  • 782.Croc: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:53 pm

    #776 blhoo: I’m impervious to cholesterol – I drink a mug pig fat instead of coffee in the morning.

  • 783.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:53 pm

    #777 ka klong:
    Praat Afrikaans jong!

  • 784.Supa Die Bloubul: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:56 pm

    #779 Pietman:

    Gedink dis al vrek laat…hehehe

    Hoop jy kry darem n lekker powernap in! Cheers tjom, groete vir vroutjie.

  • 785.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:57 pm

    #780 Croc: :) Well that narrows your heritage down quite a bit…….

  • 786.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 21:58 pm

    Upington was ‘n vakansie plaas…

  • 787.Croc: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:01 pm

    #783 blhoo: Ja, but I support die Blou Bulle, so I’m obviously not perfect.

  • 788.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:03 pm

    #784 crowbar: Nie vir ‘n jong matriek seun nie. Maar goeie voorbereiding vir die amper 13-jaar wat vir my sou volg.

    En in al daai jare kon jy altyd staatmaak op daardie jong Bokkoppe, selfs die laaste goot een!

  • 789.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:05 pm

    #785 Croc: So do I, proudly and openly.

  • 790.Croc: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:08 pm

    This thread is as dead as WPs Currie Cup hopes.

  • 791.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:09 pm

    Night all.

  • 792.crowbar: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 22:14 pm

    #787 blhoo: Ek terg net, het baie respek vir die Bokkoppe al was ons nie altyd welkom in party bassise nie, kon darem staat maak op die Chopper Pilots in Ondangwa

  • 793.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    4 Oct 2008, 23:11 pm

    and without the captain at the helm the ship sinks

  • 794.grant10: Reply to this comment
    5 Oct 2008, 11:58 am

    #770 Supa Die Bloubul: not me!

  • 795.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    5 Oct 2008, 12:08 pm

    #770 Supa Die Bloubul: I don’t. Once a player goes overseas he is dead to me

  • 796.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    5 Oct 2008, 13:48 pm

    #777 ka klong: Kopskoot, ek sien jy’s terug hier….. ek dink jy moet maar die aftog blaas ou choppie….. ek sien dit uit jou taalgebruik en die TraceRoute wat ek op jou gedoen het.

  • 797.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    5 Oct 2008, 14:46 pm

    #793 SpringbokSarah: why’s that Sarah?

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