The Emirates Lions went down 31-22 to the DHL Stormers at Emirates Lions Park in Round 7 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this past Saturday.

Despite the Lions leading 22-10 at the halftime break, the visitors from Cape Town scored three ties in their fight back at an electric Emirates Airline Park, denying the hosts point scoring opportunities.

Emirates Lions Head Coach said the momentum shift in the second half put his side on the back foot resulting in immense pressure throughout the last forty.

“I felt we had control in the first 40 minutes and then lost that control in the second half. It becomes difficult to build pressure especially if you are playing on the wrong side of the field and defending. Unfortunately, that combination does not work that well.”

There were a few positives in the week however with the announcement of Sanele Nohamba, Gianni Lombard and Henco van Wyk being included in the SA  ‘A’ side.

“To have three of our players being called up for national honours in the first block of URC is massive. I told the guys that I believed there are more future potential national players in our group,” Van Rooyen concluded.

The Johannesburg side next face Welsh outfit Dragons on Sunday, 27 November at Emirates Airline Park.

Kick-off will be at 16:00

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 22 (22) – Try: Henco van Wyk. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse. Penalty goals: Hendrikse (3), Sanele Nohamba (2).

DHL Stormers 31 (10) – Tries: Angelo Davids, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Clayton Blommetjies, Nama Xaba. Conversions: Manie Libbok (4). Penalty goal: Libbok.