Bulls bulk decisive as they overpower Lions in dire derby at Loftus

For just over a half-an-hour it really did seem as if the Lions would remind us all that a week is indeed a long time in rugby before the Bulls' superior bulk and pedigree was enough to ensure them back-to-back victories for the first time in their short United Rugby Championship history.

The eventual 21-13 score-line might've seemed reasonably comfortable, but the awkward truth was that this Jukskei derby wasn't a particularly stellar advertisement for the local game - virtually on all fronts.

From a Bulls perspective, this victory belatedly gives them somewhat of a foothold on the overall log though there was a distinct sense that they still can't seem to find their overall rhythm.

AS IT HAPPENED | Bulls 21-13 Lions

That was evident on attack, where they were hampered by some really poor handling, be it under high balls or recipients simply having hard hands like a slip fielder on a cold morning, as well as haphazard passing.

It didn't help that key play-makers enjoyed an indifferent afternoon.

Fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse almost couldn't complete a grab in the opening quarter, flyhalf Morne Steyn dropped a sitter of a pass in midfield before launching a lax cross-kick that Lions 15 Divan Rossouw really should've pounced on, and wing Madosh Tambwe - who worked hard for little reward - dissolved two promising attacks with lax kicks forward.

Meanwhile, the Lions played with far greater intensity following a week of hard words being spoken and feasted on the hosts initial mistakes in establishing an early 6-0 lead, only to find out again that their pack - compromised by notable absentees like Vince Tshituka, Jaco Visagie and Willem Alberts - simply lack the punch to provide a platform.

If those were already enough ingredients for a