URC Round 4: Lions fall in Edinburgh, Sharks win in Cardiff

The Sharks and Lions returned to URC action with away clashes on 23 October.

Here are the results from the first two matches of the URC Round 4.

Edinburgh vs Lions

First half (5-3)

The Lions were in action at the Edinburgh Rugby Stadium on Friday night.

Edinburgh went into the clash as the only team still unbeaten in the URC this season, while the Lions were 6^th on the table.

Conditions were tricky, with rain falling as the teams ran out onto the pitch.

The Lions tested the hosts early, mauling the ball and floating kicks over the defensive line.

However, Edinburgh easily neutralized the threats and were gifted the ball by the visitors’ frail lineout.

The hosts were the first to score as Matthew Currie finished off a slick team move.

One of the major battles was at the set pieces, with the Lions dominating the scrums.

Chris Smith got the Lions rolling after half an hour, slotting the penalty kick.

Second half (31-10)

It took just two minutes for the hosts to extend their lead through a Mosese Tuipuloto try.

At 51 minutes, Edinburgh created even more distance through a try by Harry Paterson, showing his pace.

The hosts continued to assert their dominance, clearly more comfortable in the damp conditions.

However, the Lions clawed back with a try from Hlekani Batho at close range.

Edinburgh came firing back with 15 minutes left, as Paterson sealed a brace.

Geordie Gwynn was put into space and put the game well and truly to bed.

The hosts remain unbeaten at the top of the table, while the Lions drop to 8^th, according to the URC website.

Cardiff Rugby vs Sharks

First half (7-17)

The Sharks continued their away tour with a visit to Cardiff Arms Park on Friday.

Emile van Heerden was honoured by exiting the tunnel first on his 50^th appearance for the club.

Andre Esterhuizen became the game’s first casualty when he limped off just 52 seconds in, replaced by Jaco Williams.

The Sharks started perfectly, with Zekhethelo Siyaya offloading for Ethan Hooker to score on his return.

Cardiff withstood the early pressure, running the ball from their half for Josh Adams to cross over.

The Sharks regained the lead through Matt Romao, who ran a good line onto Jordan Hendrikse’s pass.

Cam Winnett was the next player to leave the field after a brutal clash with Edwill van der Merwe at full speed.

The Sharks had the final say of the first half when Jason Jenkins powered his way over.

Second half (21-31)

Cardiff closed the gap to just 3 points after James Botham was muscled over the try line.

Try-scorer Jenkins became another injury concern as he limped off the field, with Stephan Lewies coming on.

At 62 minutes, Cardiff moved ahead from the rolling maul through Botham again.

The Sharks remained in the fight, eventually muscling over through Thomas du Toit.

As momentum swirled, the Durbanites scored from the rolling maul – Ethan Bester was credited with the try.

Romao then scored from the turnover at the death, leaving Cardiff with nothing to show for their efforts.

The Sharks are now up to 2^nd on the table, while Cardiff has dropped to 7^th.