Lions too strong for Stade Francais at Ellis Park

The Lions started like a house on fire before defending their lead with aplomb as they defeated Stade Francais 30-12 in their Challenge Cup clash at Ellis Park on Friday night.

The pedigreed French visitors were never able to recover after going down 20-0 inside the first half hour, with the home side ultimately coasting to a comfortable result that never looked like going any other way.

It was simple stuff from the Lions that allowed them to race out of the blocks, as they twice created the space out wide for speedy winger Quan Horn to score a brace of tries.

A close-range try from Stade Francais' South African scrumhalf James Hall just before half-time finally gave the visitors a glimmer of hope, but they were never able to decisively turn the momentum their way.

After a lengthy period of attrition to start off the second half, the contest was effectively sealed when fullback Andries Coetzee rounded off a fine backline move on the hour mark to put the Lions 20 points clear once again.

Flyhalf Leo Barre did go over for another Stade Francais try in the 70th minute, but it was the Lions who had the final say when they managed to snag a bonus point with a late try from replacement prop Ruan Smith.

It's the first win of the competition for the Lions after they drew 31-31 with the Dragons last weekend.

Scorers:

Lions 30 (20)

Try: Quan Horn (2), Andries Coetzee, Ruan Smith

Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2)

Penalties: Hendrikse (2)

Stade Francais 12 (5)

Tries: James Hall, Leo Barre

Conversion: Alex Arrate