Winger Henno Mentz scored two tries on Saturday as the Lions beat the Queensland Reds 31-20 in a match between the also-rans in Super 14 rugby.
The Lions, on a three-match losing streak, and the Reds entered the match each with 2-6 records and sitting in 12th and 13th place, respectively, in the standings. The win moved the Lions to 19 points on the season, still nearly 10 points away from a potential play-off spot and with a half-dozen teams in between.
The South African side led 17-10 at halftime with each team scoring a pair of tries — Mentz and Ernst Joubert for the visitors and Will Genia and Scott Higginbotham for the Reds.
Both Reds’ tries were unconverted, along with a Berrick Barnes penalty, while Andre Pretorius kicked two conversions and a penalty in the first half for the Lions.
Mentz scored his second try six minutes into the second half after a backward flick pass from Earl Rose, converted by Pretorius, to give the Lions a 24-13 lead before flyhalf Quade Cooper scored a
try 10 minutes later.
Barnes converted to pull the Reds to within four points at 24-20. But Mentz’s third try of the night — and sixth of the season — after a Queensland turnover, converted by Pretorius, give the visitors an 11-point lead and a bonus point for four tries.
The Lions did a good job of slowing the game down at the breakdown.
”I think we sort of fell into their trap at first, playing their game,” said Lions captain Joubert. ”But then we sort of calmed down and made the game a little bit slower, and that suited us.”
Queensland captain James Horwill said it was another disappointing effort by the Reds.
”We just didn’t come out and play tonight,” said Horwill. ”We gave up too much possession and gave them a couple of long-range tries.” – Sapa-AP