Lions Land South African Silverware
The first BKT URC silverware of the season has been decided with the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions winning the South African Shield.
Their trophy triumph was confirmed when their 24-10 victory over the DHL Stormers was followed by the Hollywoodbets Sharks losing 41-12 to the Vodacom Bulls.
The Lions won four of their six domestic derbies to finish three points ahead of the Sharks, with the Bulls and Stormers – who meet in Pretoria later this month – now unable to catch them.
As well as topping the South African table, they are also looking good in the overall BKT URC log as they set their sights on the play-offs. They have moved into seventh spot following back-to-back Ellis Park victories over the Sharks and now the Stormers.
Skipper Francke Horn said: “It’s been a fantastic last two weeks. Two really good wins, local derbies that in previous seasons could have gone the other way.”
Ospreys On The Play-Off Hunt
Ospreys coach Mark Jones believes his team can make the play-offs having moved within a point of the top eight by extending their unbeaten league run to five matches with a 21-10 win over Ulster.
They secured the spoils with late tries from Player of the Match James Ratti and winger Dan Kasende in front of their delighted fans at Bridgend’s Brewery Field.
Reflecting on his team’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages, Jones said: “There are six rounds left. We have got to go on the road a little bit in the next few weeks, but we’ve also got some derbies in there.
“There’s a lot of rugby to be played. It is tight. Anybody at any time can get in that top eight at the moment, right down to about 14th.
“One bonus point win, one loss can shift you up and down the table three or four places.”
Belcher Blown Away By His Team’s Fighting Spirit
Cardiff captain Liam Belcher has paid tribute to the “unbelievable fight” from his team in the wake of their victory over league champions Leinster.
Belcher’s boys triumphed 8-7 at a rainswept Arms Park as they held firm in the tense closing stages to end their opponents’ 11-match winning run in all competitions and move up to third in the BKT URC table.
The way they saw the game out was all the more impressive given they were down to 14 men for the final 15 minutes with winger Jacob Beetham unable to get back on the field following his yellow card as his team ran down the clock in a protracted final play.
“From the boys’ point of view, the fight they showed in that weather was unbelievable,” said Wales hooker Belcher.
“It was sopping out there. It was like a monsoon in the first half, so fair credit to them.
“We did the last 15 minutes with 14 men because we didn’t get Jacob back on quick enough. That’s just a credit to the squad.”
Reflecting on the win, he added: “For the table, it’s quite big. It hopefully puts us in a better position than we were last year.”
