The Airlink Pumas moved to within one log point of the Windhoek Draught Griquas with a 25-10 thrashing of the Sigma Lions in a Carling Currie Cup match at Mbombela Stadium last night.
The Pumas wrapped up the bonus point in 30 minutes.
They dominated every aspect of the game and simply ran the Lions off their feet. The home team outscored the visitors seven tries to two.
The Pumas made 150 passes to the Lions’ 95.
They beat 10 defenders.
The Mpumalanga team won seven turnovers.
The Pumas were excellent in the set pieces. The scrums were solid and played a vital role in their victory.
Both teams conceded nine penalties each.
The Pumas had 59% of the possession over the 80 minutes.
The Lions conceded 21 turnovers in the game.
The Pumas were on fire in the first 30 minutes of the match, while the Lions never got out of first gear.
It took the home team seven minutes to put points onto the scoreboard. The Pumas won a penalty, booted the ball into touch and Eduan Swart claimed the five points from the maul. Eddie Fouché failed with the conversion.
Sebastian de Klerk scored on 13 minutes after the Pumas had opted for a scrum after being awarded a penalty. Fouché was on target with the conversion.
Seven minutes later Corné Fourie went over the try line from an attack that started with a quick throw-in on the Pumas’ 10-metre line. Fouché converted.
Tinus de Beer scored a try in the 28th minute when Chriswill September tapped a penalty and attacked blindside. The Fouché conversion put the Pumas 26-0 up.
The Lions got their first points just before half-time. Jacque-Lois du Toit scored off a maul after a Lions lineout.
The half-time score was 26-5.
The Lions upped their effort in the second half, but the Pumas were never in danger of losing the game.
Devon Williams came off the bench in the 55th minute and scored with his first touch off the ball, finishing off a Pumas attack down the right flank.
Fouché kicked the two-pointer.
Two minutes later the Pumas captain, Willie Engelbrecht, claimed a try after the Pumas ran the ball off a tap penalty from their own half, with the ball going through various passes.
The Lions’ only second-half points came in the 60th minute when the Pumas’ defence was bridged and Sasko Ndlovu claimed the try.
Alwayno Visagie scored the Pumas’ seventh try. Once again the Pumas attacked through numerous phases and won territory for the big centre to go over. Fouché succeeded with the conversion.
Tapira Mafura put in a massive effort for the home team. He made 13 ball carries, gaining 42 metres and beating four defenders.
Daniel Maartens was all over the field, making 14 tackles, the most of any player in the match.
The Pumas remain in fifth place on the Carling Currie Cup log table. A semi-final place remains a reality for the home team.
The Airlink Pumas will travel to Durban to face the Cell C Sharks at 14:30 on May 7.
