After trailing 12-10 at halftime, the 10bet Lions produced a dominant second-half display to secure maximum points and maintain their unbeaten start to the Vodacom URC season with a convincing 35-19 bonus-point victory over Ospreys at in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions opened the scoring through a Chris Smith penalty goal in the 11th minute before Erich Cronje crossed for the first try of the match. Smith converted to give the hosts a 10-0 advantage, but the Welsh visitors responded strongly.
First Keiran Williams finished a slick attacking movement for a converted try, before Efan Daniel powered over from a driving maul on the stroke of half-time, giving the Ospreys a two-point lead at the break.
The 10bet Lions pack laid the platform after halftime. PJ Botha (hooker) crashed over from a maul in the 42nd minute before his replacement, Morné Brandon, repeated the feat six minutes later. Boeta Chamberlain then secured the four-try bonus point with a well-taken score, stretching their lead to 25-12.
The hosts finished strongly as Kelly Mpeku struck twice in three minutes, crossing in the 62nd and 65th minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Ross Moriarty scored a late consolation try after the hooter for the Ospreys, converted by Dan Edwards.
Scorers:
- 10bet Lions 35 (10) – Tries: Erich Cronje, PJ Botha, Morné Brandon, Boeta Chamberlain, Kelly Mpeku (2). Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalty goal: Smith.
- Ospreys 19 (12) -Tries: Keiran Williams, Efan Daniel, Ross Moriarty. Conversions: Dan Edwards (2).
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