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It was an exciting game with both teams prepared to run the ball from all parts of the field.
The Lions and Scarlets clashed in a URC match at Ellis Park on Sunday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The Lions suffered a 10th defeat from 17 games in this season’s United Rugby Championship when they crashed 19-32 to Welsh side Scarlets at Ellis Park on Sunday.
The Lions went into the game knowing they had already been eliminated from the URC competition, with two rounds remaining. They managed to score three tries to the visitors’ four in a flat performance.
Results elsewhere in the competition on Saturday meant the Lions couldn’t get into the top eight for a place in the quarter-finals. Before they kicked off on Sunday, the Lions were 13th with 35 points, while the team in eighth position, Cardiff Rugby, had 46 points.
Not even two bonus point wins (for a total of 10) in their two remaining games would be enough for the Lions.
What this all means is the Lions will fail to make the top eight and the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
On Sunday, despite having plenty of possession, the home team fell behind 7-0 after 15 minutes and then 14-0 after 28 minutes, both Scarlets’ tries coming from fullback Blair Murray.
The best the Lions could do was a converted try by scrumhalf Nico Steyn. This, despite the fact the visitors from Wales were twice reduced to playing with 14 men in the half. And to rub further salt into the Lions’ wounds, Scarlets converted a drop-goal on half-time to change sides 17-7 up.
And things got worse at the start of the second half when Taine Plumtree, son of Sharks coach John, finished off after some excellent play by the Scarlets to help his team go 22-7 up.
In the space of 10 minutes though the Lions, who fought hard throughout but looked to be lacking in the creative department and in defence, scored two tries through wing David Kriel to close the gap to just three points, and give themselves a chance of pulling off the win.
But centre Johnny Williams would score his team’s fourth try in the 72nd minute to help Scarlets open up a 10-point gap and the on the stroke of fulltime the visitors slotted a penalty to register a famous win at Ellis Park.
The Lions host Ospreys in their final regular season game next Saturday.
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