Lions and Dragons play to high-scoring draw in Challenge Cup opener

The Lions marked South Africa's entry into the Challenge Cup with a thrilling 31-31 draw against the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.

While it was somewhat of a disappointing result for the home side considering that they had beaten the very same Welsh outfit in the URC last month, the match certainly wasn't short on excitement.

Substitute flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse had a chance to snatch the win for the Lions at the death with a long-range penalty effort, but he couldn't find the target from 60 metres out.

The Dragons were quick out of the blocks and responded to an early Lions penalty with a shot of their own and an opening try for Jordan Williams when he crashed over in the corner after just 11 minutes played.

That seemed to wake the hosts up, leading to a lengthy period of attack that finally ended with flyhalf Gianni Lombard going over, after plenty of hard work from the forwards to get them to the line.

The Dragons soon hit back via scrumhalf Rhodri Williams after a sniping run from close, but again the Lions had the answer and were able to draw level through prop Prop Ntlabakanye following a line-out drive.

Scrumhalf Williams was proving to be a thorn in the Lions' side, however, and he would ensure the visitors took a seven-point lead into the break after another darting run that set up the try for Sam Davies.

The Lions looked like they had taken control of the match when their speedster Edwill van der Merwe crossed for two tries in a matter of minutes early in the second half, the first after a clever kick-through from Hendrikse, and the second after he provided the necessary support for Jaco Kriel after a trademark line-break.

But again the Dragons came back, Jack Dixon crossing over after an impressive attacking spell that saw them draw level at 31-all.

At that point, there were still 20 minutes of rugby left to play, but surprisingly there would be no further changes to the scoreboard in the match, with the Lions being pegged back by a yellow card to JP Smith in the 65th minute.

Hendrikse did have a chance to snatch the win in extra time via a long-range penalty kick, but it didn't have the legs, as the Dragons held on for a draw at Ellis Park.

Scorers

Lions - (17) 31

Tries: Gianni Lombard, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Edwill van der Merwe (2)

Conversions: Gianni Lombard (2), Jordan Hendrikse (2)

Penalties: Gianni Lombard

Dragons - (24) 31

Tries: Jordan Williams, Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies, Jack Dixon

Conversions: Sam Davies (4)

Penalties: Sam Davies