It was heartbreak at the whistle for the Lions as they narrowly missed out on a victory against Zebre in Parma, leaving them still hungry for their first win of the Vodacom URC season. Despite a robust second-half comeback, the Lions were edged out 22-20 in a nail-biter of a match that came down to the final moments.
The game began with Zebre dictating the pace, with Bautista Stavile and Tommaso Di Bartolomeo crossing the line early to push the hosts ahead. The Lions, on the other hand, seemed only to muster a solitary penalty from Chris Smith in the first half, trailing 12-3 at the break.
The real drama unfolded in the second half. The Lions roared back with SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter scoring tries, the latter’s effort pulling the Lions ahead. However, Smith’s inability to convert either try left the door ajar for Zebre. A penalty from Martin Roger Farias and a last-gasp try by Matteo Nocera snatched the victory from the Lions, leaving the visitors stunned and defeated.
"It's gutting to come so close yet leave without the win. We showed great character to fight back, but it's the small details that cost us." – Ivan van Rooyen, Lions Coach
The match wasn't short on excitement, with both teams ramping up the intensity in the final quarter. The Lions appeared to have sealed the deal when Morne Brandon bulldozed over the line, with Lubabalo Dobela slotting the conversion. But Zebre’s resilience paid off, as Nocera’s try in the dying seconds ensured the Italian side kept the points at home.
The Lions now remain in Italy to prepare for their next challenge against Benetton, where they will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and secure that elusive first win of the season.
Teams: LIONS – Tries: SJ Kotze, Eduan Keyter, Morne Brandon; Conversion: Lubabalo Dobela; Penalty: Chris Smith ZEBRE – Tries: Bautista Stavile, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Matteo Nocera; Conversions: Giacomo Da Re, Martin Roger Farias; Penalty: Farias
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It was heartbreak at the whistle for the Lions as they narrowly missed out on a victory against Zebre in Parma, leaving them still hungry for their first win of the Vodacom URC season. Despite a robust second-half comeback, the Lions were edged out 22-20 in a nail-biter of a match that came down to the final moments.
The game began with Zebre dictating the pace, with Bautista Stavile and Tommaso Di Bartolomeo crossing the line early to push the hosts ahead. The Lions, on the other hand, seemed only to muster a solitary penalty from Chris Smith in the first half, trailing 12-3 at the break.
The real drama unfolded in the second half. The Lions roared back with SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter scoring tries, the latter’s effort pulling the Lions ahead. However, Smith’s inability to convert either try left the door ajar for Zebre. A penalty from Martin Roger Farias and a last-gasp try by Matteo Nocera snatched the victory from the Lions, leaving the visitors stunned and defeated.
"It's gutting to come so close yet leave without the win. We showed great character to fight back, but it's the small details that cost us." – Ivan van Rooyen, Lions Coach
The match wasn't short on excitement, with both teams ramping up the intensity in the final quarter. The Lions appeared to have sealed the deal when Morne Brandon bulldozed over the line, with Lubabalo Dobela slotting the conversion. But Zebre’s resilience paid off, as Nocera’s try in the dying seconds ensured the Italian side kept the points at home.
The Lions now remain in Italy to prepare for their next challenge against Benetton, where they will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and secure that elusive first win of the season.
Teams:
LIONS – Tries: SJ Kotze, Eduan Keyter, Morne Brandon; Conversion: Lubabalo Dobela; Penalty: Chris Smith
ZEBRE – Tries: Bautista Stavile, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Matteo Nocera; Conversions: Giacomo Da Re, Martin Roger Farias; Penalty: Farias