For 79 minutes it looked as if the Boland Kavaliers would give departing coach Rudy Joubert the perfect send-off as they had the Lions on the rack in their Bankfin Currie Cup match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, but it was not to be.

The Lions hit back with an injury time try by wing Gcobani Bobo to clinch this thriller 51-46. It's a pity only a small crowd witnessed an enthralling display of running rugby by these two sides and one must say that Boland were desperately unlucky to lose this one.

They were full value for their money as they played a wonderful brand of running rugby, opening up the Lions defence at every opportunity. Their running lines, the ability to change the angle of attack and the interplay between forwards and backs must have given Joubert much reason to smile.

But the Kavaliers suffered terrible injury blows, losing centre Wayne Julies, wings John Daniels and Jan Ackermann and scrumhalf Cassie Carstens in the process. Their replacements did well, but the team lost its rhythm and that gave the never-say-die Lions a chance to come back into the game.

The Lions, with scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel showing he is on his way back to his best form, played their part and outscored Boland by six tries to four. However, they had to fight hard against a rampant Boland side and for much of the game they had to play catch-up rugby.

Another fascinating duel within a duel was played off between the goal-kickers Chelton April from Boland and the Lions Louis Koen. Koen contributed 27 points to the Lions total and slotted nine out of nine attempts at goal.

April, who also caused havoc in the defence with his cunning runs from the fullback position, was not to be outdone and scored a perfect 10 out of 10.

The Lions got off to a flying start when they scored two tries within the space of 10 minutes. Koen was the first to cross the enemies' try-line before strong-running centre Clinton van Rensburg finished off a well worked move by the home side.

Boland settled down and suddenly attacked the Lions with a lot of purpose. Hannes de Kock, whose outstanding performance was rewarded with the Man of the Match accolade, scored the first try for the visitors.

The second half was play at a hectic pace and both sides gave their all in an effort to get their first Currie Cup win. In the end it was the home team who prevailed, but the Bolanders can go home with two valuable points in the bag.

Scorers:

Lions - Tries: Louis Koen, Clinton van Rensburg, Russell Winter (2), Gcobani Bobo (2); Conversions: Koen (6), Penalties: Koen (3).

Boland - Tries: Hannes de Kock, Wayne Julies, Jan Ackermann, Andries Human; Conversions: Chelton April (4); Penalties: April (6)