MATCH REPORT: Newcastle made it two wins in as many weeks, staging a dramatic late fightback to snatch a Challenge Cup victory over the Lions at Kingston Park.
The Lions’ Angelo Davids was gifted an early try after he received a Newcastle pass in the breadbasket, and he cantered to the tryline to dot down under the uprights.
Then it was the homeside that opened their scoring, thanks to the efforts of South African Boeta Chamberlain, who showed great pace and sent Alex Hearle to dive over. The conversion equals the score at 7-7.
The Lions answered by advancing straight into the red zone, where they managed to win a penalty, and Francis added the three points.
After 30 minutes, the Lions strung together multiple phases, dominating every facet of play, advancing from the halfway line all the way to the red zone.
Unfortunately, there was a high tackle by Davids, which landed him in the sin bin.
They had opportunity after opportunity but were not able to pull the trigger. Eventually, they crossed the whitewash, but there was no grounding after Newcastle conceded seven penalties.
The visitors tapped and went, and then the yellow card was shown.
The Lions threw everything at the men in yellow, working hard to penetrate.
A poor pass by Ruben Schoeman went into opposition hands, and the clearance kick sent play back to the 22 and the referee blew the whistle for halftime.
The second half started very scrappily, mainly due to the swirling wind, resulting in the high kicks not being managed well by either side.
For long periods, the game was played in the centre of the field, as both sides struggled to gain territory.
The Lions’ backline did not fire on all cylinders, with passes often being flung wildly out of reach while Newcastle struggled with their setpiece.
Finally, after a massive scrum, the Lions advanced into the red zone. A lineout followed on the 22, and with PJ Botha freshly introduced, it was their first real scoring chance in the second half.
But a kick over the top by Francis, intended for Rabz Maxwane, went over the dead-ball line, and it was all for nothing.
And then Richard Kriel had a lovely break, but Nico Steyn butchered it, which was the theme of the game.
A barreling run by George McGuigan through the middle looked like it could be a momentum shift for Newcastle.
The penalty went their way, but Chamberlain pushed an easy as pie kick past the uprights to even the score.
It was just a comedy of errors from both sides.
Eventually, Newcastle was edging closer and closer. It was bruising, and there were no frills but they had built continuity. And they won a penalty.
They kicked for the corner with one last note of defiance.
The Lions were clinging on by their claws.
Every forward had a crack, but the Lions’ defence stood firm. Finally, Cammy Hutchison got over, but he shook his head, indicating he hadn’t made the try.
In the 78th minute, they finally got their reward after more than 10 minutes camping out on the Lions’ front porch.
Tom Christie blasted the ball into the grandstand, and Newcastle won their second victory of the season.
Scorers:
For Newcastle:
Tries: Hearle, McCallum
Cons: Grayson, Connon
For Lions:
Tries: Davids
Cons: Francis
Pens: Francis
Yellow cards: Angelo Davids (Lions, 30’ – high tackle); Ollie Fletcher (Newcastle, 38’ – cynical)
Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Cammy Hutchison, 11 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 10 Ethan Grayson, 9 Sam Stuart, 8 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 7 Tom Christie (captain), 6 Tom Gordon, 5 Finn Baker, 4 Oscar Usher, 3 Richard Palframan, 2 Ollie Fletcher, 1 Adam Brocklebank
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Jamie Hodgson, 20 Amanaki Mafi, 21 James Elliott, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Harrison Obatoyinbo
Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2. Morne Brandon, 1 Eddie Davids
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhard Jonker
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Bru (France) & Thomas Chereque (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)
