Six-try Lions maul leaders Leinster

20/04/2024 17:00

Emmanuel Tshituka scored a brace of tries as the Lions' playoff hopes received a boost with a resounding win against Leinster in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

Leading 22-0 at half time, the Lions outscored the Vodacom URC front-runners six tries to two in a 44-12 bonus-point victory at Ellis Park, with Ivan van Rooyen's charges moving into the top eight on the overall log before the close of round 14 in the competition.

Three first-half tries from scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, fullback Quan Horn and skipper Marius Louw, plus two conversions and a penalty from flyhalf Sanele Nohamba, powered the hosts in front, with desperate defence denying Leinster before the break.

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Nohamba was on target from the kicking tee as the home side struck first after the restart but the Irish visitors finally opened their account when fullback Ciaran Frowley crossed the whitewash for a converted score in the 53rd minute.

However, blindside flanker Tshituka dotted down to secure the bonus point for the Lions as the match entered the final quarter. Frawley notched up his second try of the game with less than 20 minutes to go, but Tshituka doubled his tally before No 8 Francke Horn soared over at the death in his 50th appearance to cap off an emphatic result for Van Rooyen's men.

The Lions will now refocus for a visit from defending champions Munster next Saturday, while Leinster must regroup to tackle the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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