Fast start sees Lions to victory over Scarlets in blistering Joburg heat

The Lions secured their second home United Rugby Championship (URC) win in a row as they beat Scarlets of Wales 32-15 on Sunday.  

In conditions with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and an early kick-off to deal with, the Lions started with an expansive game plan from the outset. 

That approach bore early fruit as they quickly raced into a 15-0 lead thanks to tries from Rabz Maxwane and Emmanuel Tshituka and a penalty and conversion from flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse.  

Scarlets came more into the game as the half wore on and were rewarded with a Dan Davis try from an impressive rolling maul as the teams went into half-time with the score at 18-5.  

The Lions were first to score after half-time when a brilliantly worked line-out move saw veteran flanker Jaco Kriel cross over for a converted try.  

Scarlets hit back soon after through winger Tom Rogers who went over in the right-hand corner for an unconverted try after the Lions simply ran out of defenders. 

That cut the home side's lead to 25-10 with 20 minutes left.  

The final quarter was strewn with errors, not surprising considering the intense heat at Ellis Park but the Lions sewed up the win with a second try for Tshituka, while the Scarlets had the final say with a consolation try through lock Sam Lousi. 

Scorers

Lions 32 (18) 

Tries: Rabz Maxwane, Emmanuel Tshituka (2), Jaco Kriel 

Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3) 

Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2) 

Scarlets 15 (5) 

Tries: Dan Davis, Tom Rogers, Sam Lousi