MAULED

WESTERN Province’s Currie Cup Premier Division campaign is at risk of becoming an embarrassment after the Lions klapped the Kaapse span 40-19 at Ellis Park at the weekend.

The loss sees Province stuck in second-last place on the Currie Cup standings, with no points after not being able to score any bonus points in Saturday’s loss and an opening-round defeat to the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium.

Promises of a better showing against the Lions did not materialise for coach Labeeb Levy’s manne, even though they were still in the fight after halftime after tries by Louw Nel and Gideon van Wyk saw them trail 21-12 at the break.

And the Cape side came out in the second half full of running, but were unable to turn some good attacking momentum into early points, as unforced errors saw them turn over possession.

The same problems as in the loss to the Bulls match started rearing its ugly head, as WP’s lineout did not function.

And the Lions took full advantage of the set-piece to score their fourth five-pointer, as WJ Steenkamp dotted down after some enterprising attacking rugby from the turnover.

Nel’s second try from a powerful WP maul after 52 minutes brought the Kapenaars back to within two scores.

Both teams decided to empty their replacement benches for the final quarter to try and bring some spark back into the contest.

It was however, the Lions who would take better advantage of the fresh legs as Jaco Visagie dotted down twice.