Sanele Nohamba converted a late try against Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday to give the Lions their first win of the 2023-24 Vodacom URC season.
Trailing 10-7 at half time, the Lions scored two tries in the second stanza and Nohamba, who started at flyhalf, kicked nine points in a come-from-behind 24-23 victory at Parc y Scarlets.
Scarlets drew first blood with a third-minute penalty from flyhalf Ioan Lloyd, and had a 10-point lead by the close of the first quarter after a converted Tom Rogers score.
However, the visitors pulled one back at the midway mark of the first half when skipper Marius Louw crossed the whitewash. Nohamba added the extras.
It’s a @Scarlets_Rugby try that opens the score in Llanelli! 🔴
Tom Rogers goes over after Ioan Lloyd slices through the defense! 💥#BKTURC #URC | #SCAvLIO pic.twitter.com/18SPi7NUV8
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 11, 2023
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😤 Power of the Pack! 🦁@LionsRugbyCo powering through for their second try of the night! 💪#BKTURC #URC | #SCAvLIO pic.twitter.com/bKBVEQRPuB
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 11, 2023
The hosts extended their advantage by three points soon after the restart when Lloyd split the uprights from the kicking tee, but Nohamba replied with a goal-kick of his own following Lions hooker PJ Botha’s touchdown to cut the deficit to two.
Another Lloyd penalty gave his troops some breathing room, and the home side all but secured victory when Ryan Elias barged over with 10 minutes to go.
Nohamba kicked a penalty before centre Henco van Wyk capitalised on a Richard Kriel charge down in the 78th minute to score under the sticks, and the Lions flyhalf added the extras for the win.
The Lions bring down the curtain on their four-week tour with a trip to Belfast on Friday to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.
Photo: Huw Evans Agency/Shutterstock
