The Emirates Lions have recorded their first victory of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday when they edged out log leaders the Vodacom Bulls by 34-33.

The Lion’s front-row again reigned supreme and controlled most of the battles upfront and in the loose.  This set up the platform from which their four tries were scored.

Ruben Schoeman was the first to cross the goal-line in the fifth minute of the game after the team backed themselves with a corner kick from where the big lock, with partner Reinhard Nothnagel on his back, steamrolled over.

The Bulls were quick to answer with their own five pointer to draw 7-7 after 15 minutes.

Jordan Hendrikse again pushed the Lions in front through a penalty kick.

But up stepped Rabz Maxwane and his superior speed for one of the tries of the season so far as he outshone his opposition on the outside. The Bulls again got on the score board. Their lead was short lived as Hendrikse squared up for a monster kick of 66 m. He struck it sweetly and sent it through the uprights for the home-side to go into half-time ahead by 20-19.

The visitors controlled proceedings at the start of the second half and scored two quick tries. But another kick to the corner lead to MJ Pelser’s try and the flanker is starting to make a habit of scoring tries.

A penalty kick by Fred Zeilinger to take the lead again went astray but the blond fly-half more than made up for it by scoring the Lion’s bonus point try with seven minutes left on the clock, which he also converted.

The Lions also managed to score the most tries of all the teams against the Bulls in recent months.

The Lions saw out the remainder of the time by keeping possession and thus celebrating their first win, and over the log leaders at that.

Scorers: Tries: Ruben Schoeman, Rabz Maxwane, MJ Pelser, Fred Zeilinga. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3), Zeilinga. Penalties: Hendrikse (2).