Scarlets defeat Lions 32-19, dashing slender play-off aspirations
The Lions' slim play-off hopes were dealt a fatal blow with a hard-fought 32-19 loss against Scarlets in their United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Joburg side was hit by the late withdrawal of star centre Henco van Wyk, who was replaced by Rynhardt Jonker. Youngster Kelly Mpeku took Jonker's place on the bench.
The home side started tentatively, with neither side able to land any telling early blows.
Scarlets lock Sam Lousi was shown yellow for head-to-head contact in the tackle.
Jonker was able to make a strong break off a ball to the tail of the line-out, but a failure to get numbers to the breakdown proved costly for the home side.
Errors were starting to creep into Lions play and they were pinged for an infringement at the breakdown.
The Welsh side kicked the penalty into touch and worked the ball over to the left for Blair Murray to throw a dummy to the Lions defence before scoring.
Sam Costelow kicked the conversion (7-0).
The try seemed to have woken the Lions from their slumber as they moved the ball through the hands. But the Scarlets' rush defence continually forced them back behind the gain line.
Hooker and skipper Jaco Visagie then attempted an audacious chip and chase inside the Scarlets 22 but the away side broke and chased a kick of their own from No 8 Taine Plumtree. Fullback Quan Horn had to scramble to clear for the Lions.
The fullback was instrumental in a Lions break down the right wing, as was prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and the result was a penalty to the home side.
They kicked for touch and were camped on the Scarlets tryline but the visitors were able to cope with the crash ball until JC Pretorious was held up over the line to concede possession.
Lions winger Richard Kriel's break down the right was once again undone by failure to protect the ball at the breakdown.
It would be an issue for the home side throughout the first half.
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