Staff Reporter.
The second from bottom Fidelity ADT Lions beat the top of the Currie Cup log Airlink Pumas 26-10 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Friday night.
It was a brilliant upset masterminded by Fidelity ADT Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who ran the show in the first half to set up the win.
It was a cagey opening period in which the away side actually dominated both possession and territory.
It was a victory that helped the hosts get their playoff hopes back on track.
The game had its first try in the 13th minute following a sniping run from Van den Berg. The Lions No 9 put centre Manuel Rass away for the first score as Gianni Lombard knocked over the extras.
Van Den Berg then bagged a pair of tries, the second after eightman Francke Horn served up the five-pointer on a platter, as the Fidelity ADT Lions flexed their muscles.
Lombard’s boot added the conversions as the home team roared into a commanding 21-3 lead heading into the break.
The second half was a stop-start affair as both sides struggled for the killer blow. The Pumas had a number of kickable penalties but instead, went for the corner.
Time and time again, the Fidelity ADT Lions repelled the attack as they kept the visitors scoreless.
Scrumhalf Van den Bergh then turned from hero to villain as he was sent to the sin bin for a cynical foul.
The Airlink Pumas heaped the pressure onto the home team but they couldn’t make their numerical advantage count.
Rass added insult to injury in the 72nd minute after a Airlink Pumas breakaway went south. The away side looked to be scoring their first try of the match but the home team managed to turn over the ball which Rass then kicked upfield. When the visitors failed to gather cleanly, the centre simply collected the loose ball to cruise home for the bonus point try.
Replacement Brandon Thomson crashed over a consolation try after the final whistle.
Scorers:
Fidelity ADT Lions: Tries: Manuel Rass (2) and Morne van den Berg (2). Conversions: Gianni Lombard (3)
Airlink Pumas: Try: Brandon Thomson. Conversion: Tinus de Beer. Penalty: Tinus de Beer.