The second match between the Rhinos and the Lions was hosted by Maxxium Sport at Pirates Rugby Club in Greenside. The closing match of the day, it formed part of a Nines Tournament for SARL teams as 2014 comes to a close. The first match at Groenkloof was won by the Lions with 30 points to 10, and the Rhinos were adamant that they will rectify this matter. The British Lions knew they had a fight on their hands and while the Rhinos made only 2 changes, the Lions brought in 3 new players to face the physical onslaught. The game started hard, and in similar fashion, the Lions drew first blood with Fran King going over for the try, and Jonny Yours sleeping up his accuracy from the Western Cape Game with a great conversion. The Rhino’s immediately answered and captain Jean Coetzer went over for a try 5 minutes later, which he converted himself. A few minutes later Jean put over a drop goal and the Rhinos were leading for the first time with 7 points to 6. This, however, was short-lived, and Peter Caddy kept up his try scoring rate and went over for an unconverted try, placing the Lions in front. Barely a few minutes later and Jean Coetzer chipped through and dived over for a well deserved try, which he also converted. With the scoreline at 13 points to 10 for the Rhino’s, a physical battle ensued, and every player left it all on the field as the game became really physical. The Lions were the first to break the deadlock, and Peter Caddy went over near the end of the first half, with Fran King following suit a few minutes later. Both tries were converted by an on-form Jonny Youds, leaving the score at 22 to 13 for the Lions at half time. The second half started with increased energy in spite of the oppressive heat, and Scott Glassel went over almost immediately, and Jonny Yours converted again. True to the nature of the game, Hein Pretorisu went over shortly afterwards, and Jean Coetzer converted, keeping the scores tight at 28 for the Lions, and 19 for the Rhinos. The defence of both teams were tremendous as the runners tried everything to get past. The forwards were bashing it up the middle with no effect for either side as the game stayed on a knife’s edge. Fran King finally managed to go over in the corner, and Jonny Youds converted, putting the Lions 3 scores ahead at a crucial time in the game. Jonny Youds stepped into the fray and scored the last try for the Lions, which he also converted, taking the score to 40 for the Lions, and 19 for the Rhinos. The Rhinos still did not let up and kept on coming at the strong Lions defence, and was finally rewarded with a second try for Hein Pretorius near the end of the second half. The final score of 40 to 23 does not reflect a tremendous game with both teams leading twice in the match. The British Community Lions goes home with a two from two record, but the Rhinos can take comfort in the fact that both games were close affairs and they are showing a marked improvement game on game. The game was streamed live from Johannesburg (as well as the Groenkloof match), a first for South African Rugby League. Man of the Match: SARL Jean Coetzer Man of the Match: Lions Jonny Youds Scoring: First Half 11 min Fran King (EL) 0-4 Jonny Youds (EL) 0-6 13 min Jean Coetzer (SARL) 4-6 Jean Coetzer (SARL) 6-6 24 min Jean Coetzer (SARL) 7-6 (drop goal) 26 min Peter Caddy (EL) 7-10 30 min Jean Coetzer 11-10 Jean Coetzer 13-10 34 min Peter Caddy (EL) 13-14 Jonny Youds (EL) 13-16 40 min Fran King (EL) 13-20 Jonny Youds (EL) 13-22 Second Half 1 min Scott Glassel (EL) 13-26 Jonny Youds (EL) 13-28 15 min Hein Pretorius (SARL) 17-28 Jean Coetzer (SARL) 19-28 26 min Fran King (EL) 19-32 Jonny Youds (EL) 19-34 36 min Fran King (EL) 19-38 Jonny Youds (EL) 19-40 40 min Hein Pretorius (SARL) 23-40