Lions beat Steelers on last play of the game

Representative Rugby | 09 September 2016 | Matt Twort

 

For the second week in a row Jackson Garden-Bachop has kicked the Wellington Lions to victory, though this week's telling strike came on the last play of the game.

 

Shortly after what appeared to be a forward pass from Isaia Walker-Leaware, the Lions won a penalty two minutes into extra time and up stepped Garden-Bachop who slotted the near half-field penalty to snatch the Lions a 28-27 win and the Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy over Counties Manukau.

 

It was a promising beginning for the Lions, building a sustained attack deep inside Counties' half at ECOLight Stadium. 

 

But the Lions soon found themselves down the opposite end of the paddock after Sione Molia scooped up the loose ball and could well have scored if it wasn't for a magnificent defensive play by Peter Umaga-Jensen.

 

It wasn't long until Wellington found their way back in striking distance, and strike they did as Leni Apisai dotted down through a lineout drive. 

 

Wellington's lead was extended to eight after Tomasi Palu milked an easy penalty, though the sin-binning of Walker-Leaware welcomed Counties into the game. 

 

Caught not rolling away, Walker-Leaware was dished a yellow card and the Lions were made to pay, conceding 14 points in his absence and a half time 17-11 deficit.

 

Garden-Bachops boot wasn't on target to begin the second forty, missing two penalties, as Piers Francis nailed a penalty of his own to push Counties' lead out to nine.

 

Apisai rolled over for his second try of the game to get Wellington back within one score, though the monstrous Kalolo Tuilomo hit back for Counties to re-establish Counties' handy lead.

 

Francis looked to be in for a game-sealing try after snatching up an errant Wes Goosen offload, only for Goosen to chase him down, then shortly after the Lions made their way down the field with some hectic-paced rugby which was eventually capped off by a Garden-Bachop try.

 

A missed Francis penalty with nine minutes to play meant that Wellington remained behind by only two points, a small enough deficit for Garden-Bachop to spoil Counties' shot at claiming the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy contest and bring the trophy to the capital.

Though it wasn't the 7/7 goal-kicking performance of last Saturday, Jackson Garden-Bachop's boot was again vital to the Lions' success. 

 

Isaia Walker-Leaware had a hiccup with after seeing yellow for not rolling away, but other than that the young lock was bruising and carried for good gain frequently.

 

Brad Shields had another busy game and Matt Proctor was his reliable self in the midfield.